Ever wanted to know how to care for your Agave franzosinii? Curious about what the best growing conditions are for this plant?
This guide will show everything you need to know to grow and care for your beloved Agave franzosinii plant.
From choosing the right pot, soil, and fertilizer, through watering and fertilizing to potting and repotting again. All the information about caring for this Majestic Agave is at your fingertips.
in this article:
About Agave franzosinii
Agave franzosinii is a large, slow-growing agave plant native to Mexico. It’s usually grown as an outdoor feature in gardens because of its large, attractive foliage and flowers.
Agave franzosinii has thick, glaucous green leaves that can grow quite long and have teeth along their edges. The leaves form a rosette, overlapping each other at their bases.
The plant produces large yellow flowers on an extremely tall spike (40 ft.). It serves as an excellent main feature in desert gardens.
Related Article: Different types and varieties of Agave succulents
| Botanical Name | Agave franzosinii |
| Common Name | Majestic Agave |
| Family | Crassulaceae |
| Plant Type | Succulent |
| Origin | Mexico |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Height | 6-8 feet |
| Width | 8-10 feet |
| Light | Full sun |
| 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 franzosinii Care
Agave franzosinii is a beautiful succulent plant and one of the easiest to care for. Amateurs and professionals alike will find this Agave an excellent addition to their landscape.
Light
Agave franzosinii is a succulent plant that requires full sun to thrive but can tolerate some shade. If you want to grow your Agave indoors in hot, dry climates, choose a location with plenty of natural light or invest in grow lights.
Soil
The soil for this Agave should be well-draining, sandy, and slightly acidic. A good mix is one part potting soil and two parts perlite or sand.
Water
Agave franzosinii is a drought-tolerant plant, so water it sparingly. Water thoroughly when the soil is bone dry to about 1 inch deep, and then allow it to lose water again before the next session.
Overwatering is the root cause of most problems these succulents face, and preventing it from happening will ensure your Agave’s long and healthy life.
Temperature and Humidity
The ideal temperature range for Agave franzosinii is between 55 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. It can survive in cooler temperatures but will grow more slowly. Consider relocating your plant to a warmer spot if your house is consistently cool.
You should keep humidity above 40% for your plant to thrive. There is no need to increase moisture, as the humidity in your home should be high enough to keep your plant healthy.
Fertilizer
Agaves grow slowly and are long-lived, which makes them relatively independent from fertilizers. At most, you should fertilize them once every six months with a standard balanced fertilizer. Use a slow-release fertilizer to ensure your plant does not get too leggy or tall.
Avoid fertilizing in winter as the plant will not grow much at this time, and the roots will not absorb your fertilizer.
Pruning
Agaves should not be pruned unless necessary.
These self-contained plants limit their growth, and you can’t really affect anything without scarring the plant’s aesthetic.
Only prune dead or dying leaves if you see them. Otherwise, leave your Agave franzosinii to their own devices.
Potting and Repotting Agave franzosinii
Agave franzosinii can be repotted, but you should do this sparingly. If your plant becomes too large for its pot and the roots start encroaching on neighboring plants, it’s time to repot it.
When you do so, use a container that is only slightly bigger than the one before so as not to shock your Agave with sudden changes in size or soil composition.
Prepare
How to Repot (Step-by-Step)
- Remove the plant from its old pot. Use your trowel or shovel to loosen the soil around the base of your plant, then gently pull it out.
- If the Agave’s roots have grown through the drainage holes in your old pot, cut them off with pruning shears before planting.
- Set the plant in a new container. Place some pebbles into your new container, then set your plant upright on top of them. Fill in around the roots with more well-draining potting soil, ensuring there are no air pockets.
- Water the new container until it begins to drain from the bottom.
Propagating Agave franzosinii by Offsets (Step-by-Step)
After flowering, Agave franzosinii has the habit of splitting into rhizomes that can be repotted and grown as individual plants. To grow from a rhizome:
- Simply cut the rhizome from the mother plant and place it in a new container filled with potting soil.
- Allow the cut end to heal and callus over before replanting.
- Plant the offset in a pot with a well-draining potting medium
- Water sparingly and keep in a warm, humid environment until new growth begins to show.
Blooms
Agave franzosinii blooms well after the plant matures (after 15 years), with a spike reaching as high as 40 feet (12 m).
The flowers are bright yellow and quite large. They are incredibly showy as well.
After flowering, this Agave will die. You will have to propagate anew if you want to continue the culture.
Toxicity
Agave franzosinii is mildly toxic, with sap that can cause skin irritation and inflammation.
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
Agave snout weevil is a common pest of Agave franzosinii. The snout weevil lays its eggs inside the plant, and when the young hatch, they eat their way out of the leaves and into other nearby plants.
Scale Insects
Scale insects are small, hard-bodied insects with a round shape. They attach themselves to the leaf surface and suck out the sap, which causes leaves to become discolored and die back.
Use neem oil or horticultural oil to treat the affected areas.
Slugs and Snails
Slugs and snails feed on the plant’s leaves, stems, and roots. Set poison bait or sticky traps around your yard to control these slimy pests.
AVOID
- Overwatering
- Placing under harsh sunlight
- Using poorly drained potting mediums
- Fertilizing during dormancy