Planetagarden
DESIGNING WITH AGAVES
- Agaves are great accents used with low succulent groundcovers, such as blue kleinia (Senecio mandraliscae) and sedums.
- Along with aloe and opuntia cactus, agaves add structure to the Mediterranean or the drought-tolerant garden, with the added benefit of being fire resistant.
- Do agave plants grow in shade?
- Why do agaves die after flowering?
- Are agave plants dangerous?
- What can I plant with succulents?
Do agave plants grow in shade?
Agave plants prefer a spot with full sun, but they can tolerate a little shade. The hotter the climate is, the more shade they can handle.
Why do agaves die after flowering?
When an agave flowers, it is not a happy event, unless you've been waiting forever to collect its offspring. Agaves are monocarpic, meaning they die after flowering. Agave americana, the most common agave in the Southwest, has the common name “century plant” because it supposedly takes a century to bloom.
Are agave plants dangerous?
Agave Poisoning Symptoms
University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources characterizes agave as being mildly toxic. It describes the plant as having oxalate crystals in its leaves, which can cause extreme irritation.
What can I plant with succulents?
Yarrow, lavender, salvia, and rosemary are great flowering herbs to grow alongside your succulent beds. These herbs take the same conditions as most ground planted succulents. Depending on your layout, plant these herbs at the back of the bed or surround it with them.
