How to Care for Agave Blue Glow

The Agave Blue Glow is one spectacular slow-growing succulent indoors or outdoors with a small size. The clumping rosette form with rare flower stalk only forms after 15-20 years.

It comes from a mix of two Agave varieties, and you can expect only the best traits of both the parent plants.

So, if this beauty fascinates you, we have some great caring tips to help you keep this plant growing.

Plant Name: Agave spp.

Other Name: Agave Blue Glow

Plant Type: Succulent

Native Areas: Hybrid

Light Requirement: Partial Shade to Full Sun

Watering: Medium

Fertilizer: Organic Based Fertilizer

Toxicity: Toxic to Humans and Pets

Temperature: Down to 25°F

Propagation: Leaf Cuttings and Offsets

Growth: 18-24 inches high and up to 3 feet wide

Soil Type: Acidic Well-Draining Soil

USDA Hardiness Zones: 9-11

More About Blue Glow Agave Genus

agave blue glow @flickr agave blue glow @flickr

The Agave Blue Glow (Agave attenuata x Agave ocahui) is an evergreen, slow-growing succulent developed from the mix of two different varieties by a horticulturist Kelly Griffin in Rancho Santa Fe, California.

The plant features an elegant rosette of chalky blue-green leaves adorned with finely toothed gold and red margins. Once in its lifetime and upon reaching maturity, a flower would develop. The 10-foot-tall and thick flower stalk would eventually emerge from the center of the basal rosette.

The blue glow hybrid, no doubt, shows the best qualities from its two parents – by which the broader and beautifully colored leaves are attributed to attenuata. At the same time, the small and solitary growth habit comes from ocahui.

Agave Blue Glow Care

These agaves can be grown indoors as a small pot plants. Yet, you can grow them in rock gardens or as companion plants to other succulents. So, to help you with your agave journey in caring for it, you can find some helpful tips here.

The Best Soil Mix

well-draining mix for succulent

Your choice of substrate dramatically influences the growth of any plant. As for Agave blue glow, it thrives well under a slightly acidic, well-draining soil.

A sandy or gravelly mix incorporated with organic matter can increase porosity and hold moisture.

A gritty and sandy soil mix is an ideal substrate for the blue glow agave. Nonetheless, the plant can also perform well when planted in rocky soil.

Agave Blue Glow Sunlight Needs

This terrific succulent ideally thrives in partial sun to full sun.

agave plants under full sun @flickr agave plants under full sun @flickr

Total sun exposure is needed for those residing near coastal areas, but provide them with some afternoon shade to prevent scorching of the leaves.

The plant can tolerate part shade, but if you grow the agave blue indoors, choose a spot that receives ample filtered light – such as next to a bright sunny window.

Still, growing the plant outdoors is common for home gardeners as they look appealing in landscape designs such as patios and borders.

While the plant can receive sufficient bright light at such locations, full sun and direct exposure must be avoided.

Watering Requirement

Blue glow agave is considered drought-tolerant species. Yet, it needs regular watering during the early stage to promote growth and healthy foliage.

Water regularly or at least three times a week during spring and summer, but reduce it significantly during the winter. In extreme heat, supplemental water, whether outdoors or inside the home, will be needed.

Watering is also crucial for newly potted plants. While you want to keep the soil moist, we recommend not overwatering your plant.

Also, provide enough drainage for the excess water to flow into the catch saucer, as standing water can lead to root rot.

Temperature & Humidity

agave plants temperature and humidity levels

The Blue glow agave hybrid thrives well in USDA hardiness zones 9 to 11, at 25 to 40 degrees °F (-3-4 °C).

It’s a bit winter-hardy and can tolerate slight frost but should not be exposed to temperatures lower than 25° F.

At extremely low temperatures, watering should be reduced. It may be best to bring it inside to avoid freezing injury when growing outdoors. Like most agave, the blue glow prefers a warmer climate paired with low humidity.

Still, your plant can grow favorably with the average humidity and temperatures in the home. It is important to keep it in a frost-free area in the garden.

Feeding Needs

Fertilizer is often unnecessary when growing blue glow plants; however, they can still benefit from it, especially during the growing season.

Aside from chemical fertilizers, you may opt for natural and organic-based fertilizers such as vermicasts, humus, and fermented plant juices.

Also, when one wishes to hasten the flowering of this particular succulent plant, feeding it with a well-balanced fertilizer may induce an early transition from the vegetative to the reproductive stage; thus, flowers would develop.

Propagating The Mother Plant

Unfortunately, this hybrid perennial does not produce any pups on the mother plant, unlike other non-hybrid agave species.

Through time, the agave blue glow will bloom and eventually dies. When this happens, it is typically replaced with a new plant. In this case, propagating the plant from seeds will not be reliable.

Some other ways to propagate are using leaves, cuttings, and offset. Either of the three, you will need a sterile knife or shear to cut off plant parts used for planting once they develop callouses.

When transplanting, use a container with drainage holes and fresh potting media. Fill only half of the container with potting medium and place it upright.

Fill in with the remaining soil, and press it gently against the base of the plant. Water regularly and as needed.

Agave Blue Glow Varieties

Since the blue glow comes from the mix of two varieties, let’s look at their differences and how they contributed to the hybrid’s excellent characteristics.

Foxtail Agave

agave foxtail

The evergreen succulent is a specimen with fresh foliage having a silver to pale green color. The leaves tend to develop in a rosette near the base, up to 5 to 6 inches in width.

On the other hand, the stems can reach up to 60 inches tall, while the inflorescence can grow up to 10 ft.

The Agave attenuate is perfect for planting in beds and borders, and rock gardens. They may also be grown indoors as small pot plants.

Ocahui Century

Agave ocahui

 

The Agave ocahui, also known as the ‘Ocahui century,’ can grow up to 20 inches tall and four ft. wide.

The attractive set of leaves also has a clumping rosette form of leaves with reddish-brown margins and an inch-long terminal spine.

The Agave ocahui can grow well with little neglect, and it takes a long time before it outgrows its pot.

Agave Blue Flame

agave blue flame @entireleaves agave blue flame @entireleaves ( October 22, 2015 )

The Agave ‘Blue Flame’ is a graceful succulent that may be similar to an agave blue glow because of its rosette and clumping habit.

Yet, the tapered rosettes have a widened foliage system and they tend to build up in masses from 8 to 10 ft. wide. The color of these plants ranges from silvery blue to blue-green.

Common Diseases and Pests

One of the most common insects that may affect your plants. When undetected, the infestation can be problematic and affect the foliage, causing entry wounds for other pathogens.

Moreover, snails and slugs may also feed on the leaves in damp and humid conditions. Note that the plant adores low humidity levels, and a higher percentage (> 70%) can increase the incidence of pests and diseases.

Frequently Asked Questions

The plant is categorized as short-lived for a perennial species and may only live between 8-14 years. When the plant dies, it is typically replaced with another plant.

Some parts of the plant, particularly the sap, are toxic and should not be ingested. Contact with the skin may cause mild to severe cases of irritation. Protect your hands at all times when tending to the plant.

Any direct contact with any part of the plant must be avoided. The plant’s sap is considered poisonous and thus may cause adverse reactions. Should you make contact with the plant, consult your doctor immediately.

Do you wish to have the plant at your home and be added to your collection? Plantly offers a variety of agaves and different specimens to suit your needs!

Whether you want to buy, sell, or simply reach out to other plant enthusiasts, Plantly is the right place to be!

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