The agave neomexicana is a medium-sized agave species and impresses above all with its hardy properties. Therefore, the succulent is not only suitable for cultivation in the tub, but also for planting in the garden area. The plant's water and nutrient requirements are at a medium level, longer periods of drought are better tolerated than permanent wetness. Although the Agave neomexicana prefers long-term exposure to the sun, it can also arrange itself with partially shaded places. Despite the good frost resistance, the plant needs additional rain protection in winter.
Location & plant substrate
Like all agave varieties, the agave neomexicana prefers direct sunlight. However, the plant can also make friends with partially shaded site conditions if it is exposed to full sunlight for at least a few hours a day. The plant substrate for the succulent must be permeable and loose, otherwise the growth will be extremely inhibited. Due to the good winter hardiness, this agave species can also be planted outdoors in the local latitudes. The following aspects must be taken into account with regard to the location and the plant substrate:
- Locations in a sunny location with a southern exposure are ideal
- Thrives well in stony and mineral soils
- Volcanic substrates are perfect
- Prefers soil made of compost and loam, mixed with coarse gravel and sand
- However, too much compost soil promotes fungal diseases
- Make sure the soil is well drained
- In the case of compacted soils, it is essential to create drainage
- A drainage layer made of basalt chippings, gravel or pottery shards is ideal
- Suitable for keeping pots in living spaces as well as for gardening
- Mix the plant substrate for the tub yourself from cactus soil, clay granulate and quartz sand
- The substrate layer in the bucket should be at least 20 cm thick
- Nice decoration in the bucket for house entrances, terraces and balconies
Tip: If the Agave neomexicana is put in the fresh air in the spring after wintering in living rooms, it has to be gradually accustomed to full sunlight. Otherwise the leaves can be burned after the resting phase.
plants
The agave neomexicana is a hardy variety, so it can cope well with the climatic conditions of the home gardens. At extremely low temperatures, however, it can happen that very young specimens are not yet sufficiently frost-resistant and need additional winter protection. The following tips are very helpful so that planting can always succeed:
- The ideal planting time is between March and August
- Do not water immediately after planting, it takes time to get used to
- At the beginning, pay attention to a location protected from rain
- Also protect from the midday heat, partial shade is better for acclimatization
- Do not expose to direct midday sun until you have got used to it
- Be careful with the spines, wrap the plant with foil when inserting it
Tip: Young plants are better to be grown in the first 2 to 3 years of life in living rooms or in the greenhouse, if the location is very high and is extremely cold in winter.
Watering & fertilizing
The agave neomexicana has a medium water and nutrient requirement, but it cannot tolerate accumulated moisture. However, the succulent plant is not very sensitive to drought and wind. Fertilizers should only be administered during the growing season, and a resting phase should be observed in winter. The following criteria are crucial when watering and fertilizing:
- Do not water again until the top layer of soil has dried
- Check with a finger test
- Permanent moisture is harmful
- Avoid waterlogging at all costs, can lead to death
- Make sure there is sufficient drainage, it is better to avoid coasters
- Reacts extremely robustly to prolonged drought
- Apply cactus fertilizer from April to September, every 2-3 weeks
Leaves, flowers & growth
This beautiful agave is medium-sized and forms an extremely dense rosette. The leaves are protected in this rosette. Most agave species bloom very late in their life, after which the plant dies:
- Forms bluish gray-green and fleshy leaves, these are extremely robust
- Leaves are arranged in an almost perfect, symmetrical rosette
- Dark, almost black spines form at the ends of the leaves
- Still has a decorative value even in the cold season
- Growth height up to 40 cm and width up to 60 cm
- Keeping in a bucket limits growth
- Belongs to the fast growing agave varieties
- Only blooms once in a lifetime
- After flowering, the mother plant dies
- Previously trained children ensure the survival of the agave
Repot
The agave neomexicana only rarely needs to be repotted, as the succulent plant does not grow too large. However, the planter should not be too small right from the start so that the agave has room to develop. The best time to repot is after the winter rest period has ended. In contrast to still young specimens, older plants already have a lot of spines, which can be painfully noticeable when moving. Therefore, the gardener should protect himself from these thorny spines:
- When keeping a bucket approx. Repot every 2-3 years
- At the latest when the planter is completely rooted
- The ideal time for repotting is between March and May
- Wrap the prickly plant with foam rubber for protection
- Dry root ball loosens more easily from the old bucket
- Examine the plant first after removing it
- Remove dead and rotten root parts
- Examined root balls for pests
- Shorten extremely long roots
- Apply a thick drainage layer in the new vessel
- Fill up with a suitable plant substrate and insert
Tip: The first watering unit has to be waited 1-2 weeks after repotting so that new roots can develop after the process.
Overwinter
The natural habitat of the agave neomexicana is found in the mountainous regions of New Mexico and Texas, in this part of the USA, the hardy agave variety can grow up to 3000 m thrive. In addition, the plant is also native to the desert-like areas of Mexico. Although the succulent is one of the hardest agave varieties, it still needs good protection against too much moisture in winter:
- Withstands even very strong frosts without any problems
- Frost tolerance is between -20 ° C and -25 ° C
- Older specimens also survive temperatures down to -29 ° C
- Significantly reduce watering in winter
- In the case of long periods of rain, even stop watering completely
- Put up rain protection, stretch plastic tarpaulin
- Alternatively, place the plant under it
- If kept in a bucket, move to suitable winter quarters
- Cool and bright places with temperatures between 6-12 ° C are ideal
- Do not water more than once a month
Multiply
The agave neomexicana is propagated either by cuttings or by sowing with seeds possible, although the last method of reproduction is not easy and very tedious can be. The following procedure has proven itself in propagation:
- The ideal time is February to April
- Take small offshoots from the mother plant, the Kindel
- Remove the child by hand close to the stalk, cut off if necessary
- Insert in planter with sandy soil
- Now needs a light-flooded and warm location
- Avoid too much sun exposure and midday heat initially
- Water sparingly in the beginning
- Water normally only after the roots have been cut
- Sowing with seedlings is possible, but very demanding
Diseases & pests
Although the Agave neomexicana is a very resistant variety, diseases and pests can creep in quickly if care is incorrect. In this case, the maintenance measures must be fundamentally changed:
- Excessive watering causes root and leaf rot
- Particularly prone to rot in winter
- If there are signs of rot, let the plant substrate dry out completely
- Let stand dry longer when cultivating in the garden
- If kept in a bucket, repot in new substrate and do not water initially
- Infestation with scale and mealybugs possible, especially if the immune system is weakened
- Spray the plant with a water hose
- Remove larger lice by hand
- Wash off affected areas with a small amount of detergent-based solution
Conclusion
The agave neomexicana is a robust plant that, due to its origin from the American Desert areas with both extremely hot temperatures and very low temperatures copes. In contrast to many other agaves, the hardy variety survives the frosty winter months without damage, but is dependent on additional protection from moisture. During the otherwise bare winter time, the agave neomexicana is a beautiful blue-green ray of light in the garden. When it comes to care, the succulent plant does not make great demands, but is happy about a very sunny location. Propagation is easily possible with cuttings and should be initiated early, as the plant dies after flowering.
