Foxtail agave (Agave attenuata)
Foxtail agave (Agave attenuata) is a plant of succulent leaves that can grow 50cm – 1.5m tall and 1.5m – 3m wide. In this growing guide we’ll learn the cultivation details and how to plant Foxtail agave (Agave attenuata).
This plant is commonly known as foxtail agave.
This is a evergreen plant that takes 10-20 years to reach full maturity.
In this article
Plant profile
Common name: foxtail agave
Scientific name: Agave attenuata
Plant type: Cactus / Succulent, Conservatory & Greenhouse
Habit: Bushy
Height: 50cm – 1.5m
Spread: 1.5m – 3m
Foliage: Evergreen
Sunlight: Full Sun
Soil: Loam, Sand
Moisture: Well drained
Garden type: Architectural, City & Courtyard Gardens, Patio & Container Garden, Rock & Gravel Garden, Sub-tropical
Other characteristics: Drought resistant
Seasonal colors
| Season | Stem | Foliage | Flower | Fruit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | ||||
| Summer | ||||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
How to plant Foxtail agave (Agave attenuata) – H. Zell, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Cacti and succulent plants are appreciated for their natural charm, mainly for their leaf shapes, but also in some cases for their colorful flowers in spring and summer.
They should be cultivated in areas that mimic the conditions in which they grow in nature, which are usually exposed places with stony and fast-draining soils.
These characteristics make them to be grown in pots.
Other types of Agave to consider:
See all Agave
How to plant
In this section we will learn how to plant Foxtail agave (Agave attenuata), know its needs in terms of soil, watering and sun exposure.
Soil
Foxtail agave (Agave attenuata) is a plant that prefers to grow in loam or sand.
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The loam soil is dark, rich in organic matter but balanced in minerals. It offers the best of all worlds, retaining enough water for the plants, but allowing excess moisture to drain away. This is the most desired type of garden soil, perfect for most plants.
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Sandy soil is light, porous and very easy to drain. It is a soil poor in organic matter and nutrients. It is composed of relatively large mineral particles that allow water to drain quickly.
As for pH, it is a plant that grows ideally in soils with pH acid pH.
Regarding drainage, Agave attenuata likes to grow in well drained soil.
Sunlight
Foxtail agave (Agave attenuata) should be grown in full sun places.
Cultivation profiles – Growing Foxtail agave (Agave attenuata) – User:Orderinchaos, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
