J
Ornamentals
Foxtail agave
Agave attenuata
A spineless agave with soft leaves; popular in coastal gardens.
- Light
- Full sun (6 h or more)
- Height
- 1–1.5 m
- Watering
- Low: every 7–15 days, drought-tolerant
- Soil
- loose and well-drained
- Edible?
- No: ornamental
- How to plant
- Plant the young plant with its crown at soil level, 1 m apart.
- Care
- A safe alternative to the common century plant (Agave americana), which is listed as invasive and shouldn't be planted. Protect it from frost.
Calendar by climate
Warm coast
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Mild Mediterranean
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Southern interior
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Continental interior
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Cold interior and uplands
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Atlantic
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Canary Islands (subtropical)
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
SowPlantHarvestPruneFeedTreat
Dates are for growing outdoors. You can start seedlings earlier indoors or in a greenhouse, but plant them out only once the frosts are over.
Feeding and doses
Mild Mediterranean
Not needed.
Pest prevention and doses
Mild Mediterranean
Not needed.
How easy to grow by climate
- Warm coastEasy
- Mild MediterraneanEasy
- Southern interiorNeeds regular careExtreme summer heat
- Continental interiorNot recommended outdoorsFrost and a short season
- Cold interior and uplandsNot recommended outdoorsHard, long frosts
- AtlanticDifficultRain and humidity: fungal disease
- Canary Islands (subtropical)Easy
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