Are you looking for an Agave that’s both beautiful and easy to care for? Then, consider Agave’ Blue Flame.’ It’s an easy-to-grow succulent that will brighten up any room in your home (or maybe even the garden).
In this article, we will help you learn how to grow and care for this gorgeous succulent, including how to take care of it so it stays healthy and beautiful.
in this article:
About Agave ‘Blue Flame’
Agave ‘Blue Flame’ was bred by hybridizing two other agaves (Agave shawii and Agave attenuata).
It displays gorgeous evergreen leaves that support faded white marbling shaped vaguely like a flame, hence the name.
The leaves are thick, fleshy, and flexible with a blue-green coloration, with steaks of white running along their length. The edges are finely serrated and end in a fine tip or spine that adds contrast to the otherwise uniform look of the Agave.
Related Article: Learn about different types of Agave succulents and common varieties
| Botanical Name | Agave ‘Blue Flame’ |
| Common Name | Blue Flame Agave |
| Family | Crassulaceae |
| Plant Type | Succulent |
| Origin | Garden Origin |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Height | 2-3 feet |
| Width | 3-4 feet |
| Light | Full sun, Partial shade |
| Bloom season | Summer |
| Bloom color | Yellow |
| Water needs | Low |
| Soil | Well-Drained, Loamy, Sandy |
| Tolerant | Deer, Drought, Salt |
| Toxicity | Mildly-toxic |
| Hardiness (USDA) | 8-11 |
Agave ‘Blue Flame’ Care
Agaves are succulent plants that need little water and sunlight to thrive. Therefore, they require very little care for the most part, though you should remove any brown or dead leaves from the plant’s base as they become flaky with age. Be sure to avoid drafts in winter and not put them too close to your stove or fireplace.
Light
A full sun location is the best for the Agave Blue Flame. It can tolerate partial shade but will not thrive in that environment. So if you want your ‘Blue Flame’ to perform at its best, a sunny spot is what it needs.
However, a little shade during the peak hours of the afternoon is recommended, especially if the sun is scorching hot. You don’t want your plant’s leaves sunburned under that harsh light.
Soil
The soil should be well-drained, with an ability to retain some moisture. The Agave Blue Flame can handle a wide range of soils but prefers sandy loam. If your soil isn’t quite right, amend it with perlite or pumice to promote drainage and increase aeration.
Water
Water your Agave Blue Flame when the soil is dry. Do not overwater it; this will cause root rot.
To prevent the roots from getting waterlogged, wait until the potting mix has dried out completely before watering again.
Temperature and Humidity
The ideal temperature for the Agave Blue Flame is between 55 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Although the plant is hardy to temperatures as low as 25 degrees Fahrenheit, it’s still not recommended to let your Agave sit in such low temperatures.
The ideal humidity for growing agaves is between 40 and 60 percent. Most homes naturally have this humidity level, so there is no need to worry on this front.
Fertilizer
The Blue Flame agave is a slow-growing plant and will not need much fertilizer to keep it healthy and thriving. It should be fertilized once a year in spring, using a slow-release fertilizer at the base of the plant. If you don’t want to fertilize, compost makes an excellent alternative.
Pruning
As your Agave Blue Flame grows, you should prune it to control the size of the plant. You can also prune it to remove dead or damaged leaves and old ones that no longer produce sap.
You can use a sharp tool to make clean cuts as close to the base of the leaf as possible.
Potting and Repotting Agave ‘Blue Flame’
When you’re ready to repot Agave’ Blue Flame,’ choose a pot slightly larger than the current pot. Make sure it has drainage holes aplenty and is made of potting soil that drains well. Some favorites include terracotta or clay pots because they promote drainage, but any type will work as long as there are drainage holes.
When repotting agave plants, ensure they are completely dry before moving them into new containers—this allows easy handling without injuring sensitive roots or leaves. If possible, transplant during springtime or summer when temperatures are warm enough for growth but not too hot so as not to stress these drought-tolerant succulents too much!
Prepare
How to Repot (Step-by-step)
- Remove the plant from its pot.
- Remove the debris and old soil from around the roots of your Agave.
- Cut any overly long roots with sharp pruning shears or scissors and discard them, as they are likely dead and won’t re-grow once you’ve placed the plant in a new potting mix.
- Fill your new pot half full with well-draining soil.
- Place the Agave root ball in the new pot and tamp down around the roots to secure them in their new home.
- Water lightly after a week has passed to allow the roots to settle.
Propagating Agave ‘Blue Flame’ Using Offsets
Propagation by offsets is the only method of propagating ‘Blue Flame.’ Propagation by offsets is easy and fast, making it the best way to produce more plants. Here are the steps for propagation:
- Pick the most developed offset (individual rosette) and separate it from the parent plant.
- Allow the cut end some time to callus over.
- When the cut end is dried and hard, plant it in a well-draining potting mix and keep watered until roots begin to form (about two weeks).
- Transplant into its own pot and water lightly.
Blooms
Agave blue flame is a monocarpic species that blooms only once before dying. The plant starts to bloom in late spring or early summer and reaches its peak around mid-July.
The blooms are creamy yellow and small in size. They appear on tall stalks up to 15 feet high.
After flowering, the rosette the stalk arose from will begin to brown and die off. However, not to worry! The other rosettes will continue the culture and not let the plant die off completely.
Toxicity
Agave ‘Blue Flame’ is mildly toxic to humans, dogs, cats, and horses. It can irritate the skin if it comes into contact with bare skin or is ingested orally.
NOTE: This page is not intended as a substitute for veterinary advice. The toxicity of an ingested substance varies depending on the amount ingested, the animal’s weight, and its sensitivity to specific allergens. Contact your veterinarian or local animal poison control center immediately if you think your pet may have ingested a toxic substance.
Common Pests
AVOID
- Overwatering
- Placing under harsh sunlight
- Using poorly drained potting mediums
- Fertilizing during dormancy
Common Problems
A few common problems may arise if you’re growing Agave Blue Flame. These include:
Overwatering
Overwatering is a common problem with agaves. They can develop root rot and die if they get too much water. To avoid this complication, ensure you don’t overwater your plant. Water it once a week at most and only when the soil is completely dry.
If you notice signs of overwatering, such as yellow leaves or brown tips on leaves before flowering, you should reduce how often you water your plant until those symptoms go away.
Sunburn
Sunburn occurs when an Agave is exposed to direct sunlight for long periods, which causes leaves to develop sunburn marks.
If you see signs of leaf injury due to being in too much sunlight (e.g., browning or drying), relocate the plant to somewhere shadier and cooler. Over time, your Agave Blue Flame should recover.
After planting your Agave outdoors, wait until late spring before watering it again. This will give its roots sufficient time to establish themselves in their new environment. It also helps prevent root rot caused by overwatering during the early summer months when soil temperatures are still cool and dampness is prevalent.
Leaf Spot
In Agave ‘Blue Flame,’ leaf spot is a common problem. The symptoms are circular, brown, or black spots on the leaves.
The best way to deal with leaf spots is to remove the affected leaves as quickly as possible to avoid spreading the disease.
Gray Mold
Gray mold is a fungal disease that can be a problem for agaves.
To treat gray mold, you must ensure the plant is completely dry, then spray it with dishwashing soap. The soap will help remove the spores from the leaves so they cannot spread and infect other plants.
Yellowing Leaves
If your Agave is developing yellowing leaves, the plant is likely receiving too little sunlight. So you’ll need to move it into a sunnier area. But remember to do so gradually as you don’t want to cause undue stress to the plant due to a sudden environmental change.
Agave Blue Flame Plant – Care Tips (Video)