How to Propagate Agave Attenuata

The Agave attenuata is a relatively rare plant from the mountains of central Mexico, although it is becoming very popular with gardeners in the U.S., especially those in the southern states. The Agave attenuata has no thorns or stickers, as most other members of the Agave family have, and grows faster than most other members of its genus. Still, it can take up to ten years for the Agave attenuata to bloom for the first time, although, unlike other Agaves, the attenuata does not die after blooming. The species is easy to propagate.

Agave attenuata pups

Sharp knife

Multicrop plant starter solution

Potting soil

Sand

Organic manure

Container

Water

Find an Agave attenuata plant with one or more small "pups" (small Agave plants) growing from the base of the parent plant.

Cut off one of more of these small pups from the base of the parent plant with a sharp knife. Cut close to the base of the parent plant, keeping a few roots with the pup if possible (although this is not always possible).

Allow the pup(s) to lay in the shade for 48 hours, drying out slightly.

Soak the base of the slightly-dried pups in a pan of multicrop plant starter solution, available at any nursery or home improvement center. Soak overnight.

Insert the base of the pup(s) into a container containing a mix of 1/3 potting soil, 1/3 sand and 1/3 organic manure. Water well until water drips from the base of the container, and then place the container in a partially-shaded area of the garden after all possibility of frost has passed. After the initial watering, water the pups only enough to keep the soil moist but not soggy. Your Agave attenuata plant should start growing within three to four weeks.

Agave attenuata can also be started from fresh seeds, but, seeing as the plant only blooms once every ten years, it is easier to start new plants from pups, which the plant produces yearly.