Actual size and flowering may vary slightly based on season.
Blue Glow Agave
Blue Glow Agave is a small, slow agave with blue-green leaves edged in red and yellow that glow when the sun shines through them. It grows as a single rosette, up to about 2 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide, and holds its shape for years. It suits pots, entries, courtyards and raised planters. Give it morning sun, shade from the hot afternoon sun, and very little water.
Best for: pots and planters, entries and courtyards, and east-facing beds or spots in filtered shade. A small, slow agave that stays a single rosette and looks its best up close.
It stays small and grows slowly, so one plant can live in a patio pot for years. Use a pot with a drainage hole and fast-draining soil. Once it is rooted, water about every 2 weeks in summer, only when the soil is dry.
It fits entryways, courtyards, raised planters and rock gardens. Set it where the sun can shine through the leaves from behind, and the red and yellow edges glow.
An east-facing bed or a spot under a light tree canopy suits it. It takes full or lightly filtered sun, but wants cover from the hot western sun on summer afternoons.
In all-day summer sun, or against a hot west wall, the leaves can yellow and burn. Soil that stays wet can rot it. It is not the agave for a big, open desert yard.
- Closer group3 ft apart
- Wider group4 ft apart
Plant into dry soil and wait about 1 to 2 weeks before the first watering in warm weather, or up to a month in cool weather. After that, water about every other week while nights stay above 60°F.
Once rooted, water deeply about every 2 weeks in summer, every 3 to 4 weeks in spring and fall, and little or none in winter. Let the soil dry out between soakings.
Give it morning sun and shade from the hot afternoon sun in summer. A new plant can also go under light shade cloth for its first few weeks.
It is rated from the mid 20s down to about 20°F. On hard freeze nights, drape frost cloth or a sheet all the way to the ground, not plastic, and uncover it in the morning. Move potted plants next to the house.
It rarely makes pups, so there is nothing to divide. It blooms once after many years and then dies, so plan to replace it then.
Drainage test first. Dig the hole and fill it with water. If water is still sitting in the hole a day later, you likely hit caliche, clay or hard soil, so fix the drainage before planting. If it drains very fast, the soil is sandy. Standing water around roots is a common reason new plants fail.
Weed cloth. Cut it away from the planting hole and where the roots will spread. Remove any plastic sheeting completely, since it keeps water and air out of the soil.
Rock or decomposed granite with no soil underneath. Bring in soil close in texture to your native soil, mix it with the soil below, and build up enough depth for roots before planting.
If you can break through. Use a breaker bar, pick, or jackhammer. Dig through the caliche and break out the solid chunks. Backfill with the soil you dug out, with no compost or manure in the hole. Confirm drainage before planting.
If you cannot break through. Dig narrow holes through the hard layer beside the root ball, not under it, and refill them with the same soil, not gravel. If it still will not drain, plant on a low mound of the same soil.
Root ball. Check the outside edges for any roots circling around. Loosen or cut those so they grow outward. Do not break up the center of the root ball.
Depth. The top of the root ball should sit at or just slightly above the surrounding soil level. Planting too deep can lead to rot and kill the plant.
Drip emitters. At planting, put the emitters on the root ball, on different sides of the plant. After about 2 months, move them to the outer edge of the root ball. Over the first year, add emitters farther out toward the edge of the branches as roots grow. Once a plant is rooted, never water only at the trunk.
How big does Blue Glow Agave get?
It grows up to about 2 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide. It is slow, so the plant you buy stays close to its size for years.
Does Blue Glow need afternoon shade in Phoenix?
Yes, it does best with morning sun and shade from hot western sun on summer afternoons. It takes full or lightly filtered sun. In all-day sun its leaves can turn yellow.
How often should I water it?
Once it is rooted, a deep soak about every 2 weeks in summer is plenty. Stretch that to every 3 to 4 weeks in spring and fall, and give little or none in winter. Let the soil dry out in between.
Why is my Blue Glow turning yellow or mushy?
Yellowing leaves can come from all-day hot sun, so give it afternoon shade. Soft, mushy leaves or a collapsing plant point to rot from too much water or poor drainage.
Does Blue Glow make pups?
Rarely, because it grows as a single rosette, so it stays tidy and never needs dividing.
Does Blue Glow bloom?
It blooms once, then dies. After about 10 to 15 years it sends up a flower stalk 8 to 10 feet tall with greenish-yellow flowers. Since it rarely makes pups, plan to replace it then.
How cold can Blue Glow take?
Cold hardiness is listed from the mid 20s down to about 20°F. On hard freeze nights, cover it with frost cloth that reaches the ground, and take it off in the morning. Move potted plants next to the house.
Can I grow Blue Glow in a pot?
Yes, it is well suited to pots and planters. Use a pot with a drainage hole and fast-draining soil. Water only when the soil is dry.
Does Blue Glow have spines?
Its leaves are softer than most agaves, with tiny soft teeth on the edges. Each leaf ends in a short, sharp red tip. Plant it a little back from walks and the pool edge, or snip off the tips.
Is Blue Glow poisonous to dogs or cats?
It is mildly poisonous if chewed. The sap can irritate a pet's mouth and skin, and the leaf tips can poke. Keep pets from chewing on it.
Can snout weevils get Blue Glow?
Yes, the agave snout weevil can attack it. Watch for leaves that wilt or wrinkle and a plant that rocks loose. Good drainage and not overwatering help most, and remove an infested plant quickly.
What is the difference between Blue Glow and Blue Flame?
Blue Flame is a different cross, of foxtail agave and Agave shawii. It gets about 3 feet tall and pups into a clump 6 to 10 feet across. Blue Glow stays a single, smaller rosette.
Blue Glow Agave for sale in Arizona, delivered to you
Blue Glow is a small agave grown across the Valley for its blue-green leaves. The red and yellow leaf edges light up when the sun is behind them. Below is what to expect from it in an Arizona yard or pot, from size, sun and water to cold, blooming and spacing.
Sourced from trusted Arizona growers and delivered directly to your door, job site, or property. We deliver across the Valley and to nearby towns, and quote delivery anywhere else in Arizona.
Does Blue Glow Agave need shade in Phoenix?
It does best with morning sun and protection from the hot western sun on summer afternoons. It takes full or lightly filtered sun. An east-facing bed or a spot under a light tree canopy works well.
How big does Blue Glow Agave get?
It grows up to about 2 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide. It grows slowly and stays a single rosette. That is why it is used so often in pots, planters and small beds.
How often do you water Blue Glow Agave in Arizona?
Once rooted, a deep soak about every 2 weeks in summer is plenty. Stretch it to every 3 to 4 weeks in spring and fall, with little or none in winter. Always let the soil dry out in between.
How far apart do you plant Blue Glow Agave?
For a group or a border, plant about 3 to 4 feet apart, center to center. Use 3 feet for a tight group and 4 feet for a looser one. The Spacing tab on this page counts plants for your bed.
Does Blue Glow Agave make pups or bloom?
It rarely makes pups, so it stays one tidy rosette. It blooms once, then dies, usually after about 10 to 15 years. The flower stalk reaches 8 to 10 feet with greenish-yellow flowers.
Blue Glow vs Blue Flame Agave
Both are blue-green agaves with foxtail agave as a parent. Blue Flame gets about 3 feet tall and pups into a wide clump. Blue Glow stays a single, smaller rosette with red and yellow edges.
Growing Blue Glow Agave in a pot
It is well suited to containers. Use a pot with a drainage hole and fast-draining soil. Water only when the soil is dry, and give the pot afternoon shade in summer.
Is Blue Glow Agave cold hardy in the Valley?
Cold hardiness is listed from the mid 20s down to about 20°F. On hard freeze nights, cover it with frost cloth down to the ground and uncover it in the morning. Potted plants can move next to the house.
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