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    Home»Succulents and Cacti»Agave marmorata (Marbled Agave): Growing and Care Guide

    Agave marmorata (Marbled Agave): Growing and Care Guide

    By Milo MasonNovember 12, 2022
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    Are you looking for a way to keep your Agave marmorata plant healthy and beautiful? Want to learn the right way to care for this gorgeous succulent?

    Agave Marmorata In The Wild
    Agave marmorata in the wild (“A072 agave marmorata” by Juan Ignacio 1976 is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.)

    We’ve put together this handy guide to give you all the information you need to keep your succulent beautiful, happy, and thriving.

    in this article:

    • care
    • pruning
    • repotting
    • propagation
    • blooms
    • pests
    • common-problems

    About Agave marmorata

    Agave marmorata is a species of Agave that can be found in Mexico and the southwestern United States. It’s commonly referred to as marbled agave or marbled century plant because of its beautiful leaf markings. White bands cover the surface of the green leaves giving off a marbled appearance.

    An individual plant usually forms a single, large rosette of broad, robust, gently curving succulent leaves. Their edges are lined with sharp teeth that can injure on contact.

    Related Article: Learn about different types of Agave succulents and common varieties

    Botanical NameAgave marmorata
    Common NameMarbled Agave, Marbled Century Plant
    FamilyAsparagaceae
    Plant TypeSucculent
    OriginMexico, Southeastern USA
    MaintenanceLow
    Height3-4 feet
    Width4-5 feet
    LightFull sun, Partial shade
    Bloom seasonSummer
    Bloom colorYellow, Gold
    Water needsLow
    SoilWell-Drained, Loamy, Sandy
    TolerantDeer, Drought
    ToxicityMildly-toxic
    Hardiness (USDA)9-11

    Agave marmorata Care

    Agave marmorata is an easy-to-grow, drought-tolerant succulent quite forgiving of neglect. It’s ideal for adding height and interest to your landscape without much time commitment from the gardener.

    Agave marmorata can grow up to 4 feet tall but usually stay smaller in container gardens. In addition to their striking coloration and elegant form, these Agaves make excellent focal points in the garden or indoors as decorative plants.

    Light

    Agave marmorata is a succulent that grows well in full sun or light shade. It can tolerate full sun in the summer, but it will grow best with some protection from the hottest afternoon heat.

    Plant the Agave in a location that gets at least 6 hours of direct sun each day.

    Soil

    Agave marmorata grows best in soil that drains well. It prefers sandy, loamy soil that is neutral or slightly alkaline.

    If you have poor drainage, add some inorganic matter to the soil. This will help to improve drainage and prevent the roots from rotting.

    Water

    Avoid overwatering the Agave. The plant likes to be watered deeply and infrequently rather than frequently and shallowly. If the soil is dry 1 inch below the surface, water thoroughly until it drains from below.

    It is extremely drought tolerant and will survive without water for extended periods.

    In winter, you can reduce the watering cadence to once a month.

    Temperature and Humidity

    Agave marmorata prefers temperatures between 55 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. However, it does not tolerate frost, so you may need to protect it from cold temperatures if you live in a colder climate.

    You should keep room humidity around average levels (around 50%). If it gets too high, you may notice the leaves drooping. If this is the case, increase ventilation or mist your plant daily until the humidity drops.

    Fertilizer

    Agave marmorata does not require fertilizer, but if you want to increase its vigor, you can use a balanced fertilizer (10-10-10). However, do not overfertilize; this could cause salt buildup in the soil and kill your plant. Try to only feed the Agave once during the plant’s first year of growth and then once every three years after that.

    Avoid fertilizing in the cold months and only do so during the growing season.

    Agave Marmorata Cheat Sheet
    Agave marmorata cheat sheet (author edu1971 by depositphotos)

    Pruning

    Agave marmorata is a typical agave plant and doesn’t need much pruning. You can remove dead leaves and spent flower spikes if they begin to look unsightly, but otherwise, leave your plant alone.

    Potting and Repotting Agave marmorata

    Agave marmorata is a slow-growing plant that can stay in the same pot for years. However, if you want to move your plant to a larger container or change its location, you can do so without worrying about stressing it.

    When repotting an agave, avoid using soil treated with chemicals or fertilizers. Only repot in the spring when the growing season is just around the corner.

    Prepare

    • Prepare the pot. The pot should be at least a couple of inches wider than the original container and have drainage holes in the bottom.
    • Prepare the soil. The soil should be light and well-draining. You can use a cactus mix available at most garden centers or home improvement stores.
    • Choose the spot. Place the Agave in a location that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight daily.
    • Gather the tools. A pair of scissors, pruning shears, and gloves.

    How to Repot (Step-by-Step)

    1. Remove the pot from the plant.
    2. Use the scissors to cut any dead roots or those that are brown and brittle. This will help prevent rot in the new container.
    3. Place some soil near the bottom of your chosen container and gently pat it down so it forms an even layer about ½ inch thick over the bottom of your pot.
    4. Place the plant into the container and gently fill in around it with more soil until it is slightly below the rim of your pot.
    5. Water your plant thoroughly and let it drain before returning it to its normal position in the garden or on a patio.

    Propagating Agave marmorata by Offsets (Step-by-Step)

    If you have a plant producing offsets, you can use them to propagate new plants. Offsets are small plants that grow from the base of mature agave plants and look like miniature versions of their parents.

    Luckily for us, Agave marmorata is known for producing plenty of offsets throughout its lifetime that you can use for propagation.

    1. To propagate from an offset, separate it from the parent plant and pot it in a soil container.
    2. Don’t forget to give the cutting some time to callus over before repotting, though, as this is important to avoid root rot early on.
    3. Water deeply and allow everything to drain out.
    4. Keep the pot in a sunny and warm location and wait for new growth.
    Agave Marmorata Leaf Banding
    Agave marmorata leaf banding (“Agave marmorata” by eugenio_padilla is licensed under CC BY–SA 4.0.)

    Blooms

    Agave marmorata is monocarpic, which means that it will only produce one large flowering stalk in its lifetime before dying.

    The flowering of an Agave marmorata can take between 7 and 15 years to occur as the plant has to mature enough to handle the stress.

    A gigantic, 20-foot-tall stalk emerges from the center of the rosette once it’s time and sends up large yellow-gold flowers that attract pollinators of various kinds to the garden. It’s a spectacle!

    Related: How to Care and Grow Agave colorata (Mescal Ceniza)

    Toxicity

    Agave marmorata is mildly toxic. The sap can cause skin irritation, and the leaves are poisonous if ingested.

    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

    These small insects are about 3/8 inch long and black. They will chew on the leaves of your Agave marmorata, making small holes in them and ruining the appearance of your plant. The weevils can be controlled by hand-picking or using insecticidal soap to kill them off.

    Scale Insects

    Scale insects are small bugs that attach themselves to the leaves of your Agave marmorata and suck the juices out of it. You’ll see small bumps on the leaves, which are actually the insects themselves. They can be removed by hand or with insecticidal soap.

    Slugs and Snails

    Slugs and snails will devour the leaves of your Agave marmorata. They can be controlled by hand-picking or using snail bait to kill them off.

    AVOID

    • Overwatering
    • Placing under harsh sunlight
    • Using poorly drained potting mediums
    • Fertilizing during dormancy

    Common Problems

    • Root rot is a fungal disease that causes browning or rotting of the roots. You can control it by adding mulch around your Agave marmorata to keep moisture from collecting in the potting medium, which can lead to rot. You can also prevent root rot by using well-draining soil with plenty of inorganic matter.
    • Sunburn occurs when the leaves of your Agave marmorata are exposed to too much sun. You can prevent sunburn by providing shade during hot weather, especially if your plant is not used to full sun.
    • Frost burn occurs when temperatures drop below freezing, and your Agave marmorata is exposed to the cold. You can prevent frost burn by covering your plant with an insulating blanket or wrapping it in burlap after the first hard freeze of the year.

    Agave marmorata (Marbled Agave):Easy Care Tips (Video)

    FAQ

    The most common cause of a droopy Agave marmorata is overwatering. If your plant’s soil becomes too wet, it can cause the plant to collapse or lose its leaves. Adjust your watering cadence accordingly.

    Agave marmorata is a drought-tolerant plant, so it doesn’t need frequent watering. Water your plant when the potting medium feels completely dry and allow it to drain. You can also use a soil moisture meter to determine if it’s time for some watering.

    A healthy Agave marmorata can grow anywhere from 3 to 5 feet tall. It is a mid-sized succulent suitable for indoor and outdoor use.

    1. Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants. ASPCA
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    Milo Mason

    Milo Mason is a self-proclaimed plant whisperer. With a passion for gardening, houseplants, and all things outdoors, Milo has been cultivating indoor plants for the past five years with an interest in perennials and succulents. He enjoys sharing his insights and research on plant species when it comes to care tips.

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