Agave Colorata (Mescal Ceniza): Growing and Care Guide

Are you thinking about adding a beautiful Agave colorata to your garden? Or maybe you’re already in possession of one and want to know how to keep it healthy and beautiful. Either way, we’ve got you covered.

Learn the proper steps on how to grow and care for Agave colorata plants so that you can keep them looking their best.

About Agave colorata

The Agave colorata, also known as the Mescal Ceniza, is an evergreen succulent plant native to Mexico. It can be grown outside in USDA zones 8 through 11.

This plant has spoon-shaped dusty blue leaves with spines along their margins and an extremely rough texture. The tips of the leaves also support a sharp terminal spine.

Unlike some Agave, this one likes to stay on the small side, never reaching above 3 feet tall throughout its lifetime.

Botanical Name	Agave colorata
Common Name	Mescal Ceniza
Family	Asparagaceae
Plant Type	Succulent
Origin	Mexico
Maintenance	Low
Height	1-3 feet
Width	2-4 feet
Light	Full sun, Partial shade
Bloom season	Summer
Bloom color	Yellow, Orange
Water needs	Low
Soil	Well-Drained, Loamy, Sandy
Tolerant	Deer, Drought
Toxicity	Mildly-toxic

Agave colorata Care

The Agave colorata is an easy-to-grow plant that requires minimal care once established; however, there are still some things you should know about growing this type of Agave successfully:

Light

The Agave colorata should be placed in full sun to partial shade. Full sun is ideal for this Agave, but partial shade is okay. If you plan on keeping it in full sun, ensure it does not receive direct sunlight during the hottest part of the day (mid afternoon).

Soil

Mescal Ceniza is a succulent, which means it needs well-draining soil. Soil can be light and sandy with some organic matter added to it. Or you can amend the soil with coarse sand or perlite to improve drainage even further.

Water

As with most succulents, Agave colorata does not require a lot of water. You should only water the plant when its soil is dry to the touch. Water thoroughly, but do not overwater, as this will cause root rot.

Temperature and Humidity

The ideal temperature range for Agave colorata is 55-75 degrees Fahrenheit, with a humidity level of 40-60 percent. It can also tolerate temperatures around 40 degrees Fahrenheit and as high as 85 degrees Fahrenheit, but there may be some leaf damage if it gets too cold or too hot for long periods. 

Avoid frost and heat stress by keeping the plant out of very cold areas or in very warm regions, such as next to an air conditioning vent.

Fertilizer

Do not over-fertilize. Too much fertilizer can make the Agave grow too fast and leach the nutrients out of its root system. Instead, it’s better to use a slow-release balanced fertilizer, which releases nutrients over time.

Don’t fertilize in winter. It’s best not to fertilize Agaves in winter because they won’t grow at all during this time, and feeding your succulents will only have adverse side effects.

Pruning

Pruning Agave colorata (Mescal Ceniza) mainly involves removing the dead leaves around the rosette’s outer rim.

You should also check for pests or diseases on your Agave colorata (Mescal Ceniza). If you spot any problems, you should contact an expert before attempting treatment.

Potting and Repotting Agave colorata

The Agave colorata can be repotted in spring or summer. In spring, it’s best to do so after the plant has finished its growth cycle. Repot it after 2-3 years if you’re keeping it in a small pot and every five years if you’re growing it in a large one.

Prepare

How to Repot (Step-by-Step)

1. Remove the Agave from the pot and place it on a flat surface.
2. Use your shovel to remove the old soil and gravel around the root ball. Remove any dead roots, if necessary.
3. Lower your Agave into its new pot, gently using your hands to pack the soil around its base.
4. Water deeply, allowing excess water to drain from the bottom of the pot.

Propagating Agave colorata by Offsets

Offsets appear after an Agave colorata has finished blooming. But, the appearance of these offsets is not guaranteed, and some specimens never experience their growth. But, if you’re lucky enough to get some growing from your Agave, propagating them is easy.

1. Remove the plantlets from the parent plant with a sharp knife.
2. Allow the offsets to dry for a few days before planting them in a pot filled with good drainage soil.
3. Water newly planted offsets regularly, but not too much, so they don’t rot from overwatering.
4. Once established, Agave colorata will require less water than other succulents in your collection.

Propagating Agave colorata by Seeds

To propagate Agave colorata by seeds, you should:

1. Choose an area with high temperatures (68 degrees Fahrenheit) and indirect sunlight.
2. Fill a pot with a well-draining potting mix.
3. Plant the seeds at a depth twice as deep as their size.
4. Cover them with ¼ inch (1 cm) of soil mix and water lightly.
5. Place the pots in full sun but keep them out of strong winds or direct sun for better germination rates.
6. Once your seedlings are large enough to move, place them in larger pots or continue growing directly into their permanent location outdoors if desired.

Blooms

Agave colorata is monocarpic, meaning it blooms only once in its lifetime. After it blooms, the rosette fades away.

This species produces a dramatic inflorescence, or flower stalk, reaching up to 10 feet (3 m) tall. The flowers are bright orange and yellow and appear in clusters.

Toxicity

Agave colorata is mildly toxic to humans and animals. The sap of the Agave is caustic and can cause skin irritation.

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

Agave snout weevil

The Agave snout weevil is a serious pest of Agaves in their natural habitat, and they are also starting to appear more and more in cultivation. The adult weevils chew holes in the leaves of the plant, which causes them to grow stunted and may cause them to die. They also like to lay eggs near the Agaves complicating matters further.

Scale Insects

Scale insects can be a problem for Agaves and other succulents too. The adults are small and immobile and appear as bumps on the plant’s surface. They excrete a sticky substance called honeydew which attracts ants, protecting the scale insects from predators. This is a minor issue in most cases but can become more severe if left untreated.

Common Problems

How To Grow Agave colorata (Video)

FAQ