Agave ‘Joe Hoak’ caught your eye, but you don’t know where to start?
This guide will help you learn the proper steps to grow and care for this beautiful Agave succulent and keep it healthy and beautiful.
You’ll be able to take care of your plant like a pro in no time!
Continue reading the guide below!
in this article:
About Agave ‘Joe Hoak’
Agave ‘Joe Hoak’ is a popular ornamental succulent with a distinctive form. It’s grown for its large pale gray-green leaves that curve towards their tip, bending backward.
White and yellow striations line the length of the leaves, adding contrast to the green leaves. They are also tipped with a red terminal spine. Small yet sharp marginal teeth line the edges of the leaves as well.
Agave ‘Joe Hoak’ is thought to be a hybrid of Agave desmetiana, though this is not confirmed as it’s hard to identify cultivars after the fact accurately.
It was bred in Hoak’s Greenhouse and Nursery in South Florida, hence the name.
Related Article: Learn about different types of Agave succulents and common varieties
| Botanical Name | Agave desmetiana ‘Joe Hoak’ |
| Common Name | Agave ‘Joe Hoak’ |
| Family | Asparagaceae |
| 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) | 9-11 |
Agave ‘Joe Hoak’ Care
Agave ‘Joe Hoak’ is a succulent and drought-tolerant plant. In addition, it is cold-hardy, meaning it can withstand cold temperatures up to a certain point, even if kept outdoors. This plant is also quite easygoing and requires little to no maintenance at all.
Agave ‘Joe Hoak’ is well-suited as an accent in the garden or as a focal point. This plant is incredibly easygoing and tolerant of neglect, but it will not tolerate extreme temperatures on either end of the spectrum.
Light
Agaves thrive in full sun, meaning they need at least six hours of direct sunlight daily.
They can also grow nicely in partial shade, but they will not thrive in deep shade. To grow this plant indoors, place it in a brightly lit room that receives full sun during the day.
Soil
You’ll want to give your Agave some light soil to achieve the best results. A well-draining potting soil with a good amount of grit or coarse sand should do it. This can be tricky to mix correctly on your own, so most people will just use the store’s standard succulent/cactus mix.
To keep your Agave healthy and happy, your soil should be able to release the excess water after a watering session quickly and efficiently.
Water
Water your Agave when the soil is dry to the touch. This could be as often as once a week in hot, sunny weather. However, in the winter, once every two weeks or so is more than enough.
It will survive in drought conditions with minimal water and still look good. It’s unlikely to need much extra watering at all during the summer months, mainly if you live in a hot climate.
Temperature and Humidity
Agave Joe Hoak is a succulent that requires warm temperatures to thrive. The ideal temperature range for this specific variety is 55-75 degrees Fahrenheit (13-24 degrees Celsius). You should keep humidity levels between 40-60%.
At most, Agave Joe Hoak is hardy to about 25 degrees Fahrenheit. But that is just a guideline for extreme circumstances. To keep your Agave alive and thriving, maintain warmer temperatures.
Fertilizer
To accelerate your Agave’s growth, it’s important to fertilize it. But don’t overdo it! Try to use a balanced fertilizer that has been formulated for agaves. Do not use full-strength fertilizers–they can burn the plant with too many soil nutrients.
Don’t fertilize in winter (late October through February). Instead, try to do so at the start of the growing season, around mid-March.
Pruning
It is essential to prune your Agave Joe Hoak to maintain its beauty and structure. This Agave offsets heavily and often, meaning there are a lot of suckers to go around. If you want your Agave to look nice and pretty, you’ll have to get used to removing any unwanted budding rosettes around the base of the central rosette.
Use hand clippers or hedge trimmers to trim away unneeded suckers as they come up from below the rosette. That way, there will be just one central rosette of beautiful leaves instead of several smaller ones, all vying for attention at once!
Potting and Repotting Agave ‘Joe Hoak’
Potted agave ‘Joe Hoak’ require repotting to keep them in good health. This process is not difficult, complex, or complicated. The best time of year to repot your Agave is during the summer so that it can have plenty of acclimation before winter arrives.
Prepare
Before you get to the repotting, there are a few things you need to keep in mind:
How to Repot (Step-by-step)
- Remove the Agave from its pot by gently prying it free of the rim with a trowel. Try not to damage the fleshy roots as you do this; they’re very delicate!
- Gently shake off any loose soil from the rootball and remove any old soil around its edges by running a gloved hand along them in short strokes (so as not to disturb your plant’s roots).
- Fill an appropriate-sized container with fresh well-draining potting soil.
- Carefully lift one end of your Agave and gently place it into its new home. Tamp down to secure the root ball.
- Water lightly after a week has passed, giving the repotted Agave time to establish itself.
Propagating Agave ‘Joe Hoak’ using offsets
You can propagate agave ‘Joe Hoak’ by removing offsets, small plantlets that will form on the mother plant as it grows. Agave Joe Hoak suckers profusely, so you won’t have trouble finding offsets to plant. And if you’ve been pruning regularly, you’ve likely practiced this process many times.
Remember that it’s important not to disturb the parent agave as much as possible.
- Separate the selected offsets from the parent plant carefully using a clean, sharp tool.
- Allow the newly separated offset to callus over before planting in soil, which means letting its cut end form a hard scar through natural healing processes. This process takes about one week under ideal conditions.
- Plant your callused offsets into a pot filled with well-draining soil and drainage holes.
- Keep the temperature high and the soil slightly moist until the offset takes root.
- Water lightly.
Blooms
Joe Hoak agave blooms pale yellow flowers that grow on a 3-foot tall stalk forming panicles. They typically appear in the spring but may also bloom during summer and fall, depending on the location.
Agave Joe Hoak is monocarpic, and the main rosette will die after flowering. Propagate by offsets to continue the culture.
Toxicity
Agave Joe Hoak is mildly toxic to pets and children. Adults have little to fear from the plant but should be careful when handling it, regardless.
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
Agave plants are susceptible to a few problems. If you’re not careful, they can be destroyed easily. Here are the most common ailments that might affect your Agave ‘Joe Hoak’ down the road.
Overwatering
Overwatering is the most common problem with Agave, especially when it’s young and still establishing roots. Agaves are succulent plants that naturally grow in sandy soil, and too much water will cause root rot. Instead, ensure you’re watering deeply enough to supply all the moisture your plant needs, and then allow the water to drain out the drainage holes quickly.
If you water too much or the plant is allowed to sit in water, the plant can develop root rot, which leaves it vulnerable to disease and death. To prevent this, check the soil once a week. If it dries down to an inch below the surface, add water; if not, refrain from watering.
Sunburn
Sunburn is a common problem in Agave. It’s caused by the plant being too close to the sun and too dry, stressing the plant leaves. To prevent sunburn:
- Move your agave plant to a shadier location.
- Water it more often, especially during hot months or temperatures above 85 degrees Fahrenheit (29 degrees Celsius).
If you’ve already experienced sunburn, remove affected leaves to prevent further damage and encourage healthy growth.
Frost Damage
Frost damage is caused by cold weather. This presents as white discoloration of the leaves, which you should prune away. You cannot recover frost-burned leaves.
Be more careful in the future and relocate the plant to a warmer spot where it is protected from cold snaps and drafts.
Agave ‘Joe Hoak’- Growing and Care Tips (Video)