Actual size and flowering may vary slightly based on season.
Tropical Agave
Tropical Agave, also called smooth agave, is a fast-growing agave with arching green leaves that are mostly smooth along the edges. It grows about 3 feet tall and 3 to 5 feet wide and fills in with pups. It gives a lush, tropical look on little water. Use it along patios and walks, in big pots, or as an accent under light shade.
Best for: beds along patios and walkways, large pots, and accents under light, dappled shade. A fast, smooth-edged agave for a tropical look on little water.
The leaf edges are mostly smooth, with a sharp spine only at the tip. It is used around patios, ramadas and most walkways. Snip the tip spines where people pass.
It takes full sun and reflected heat, but in the low desert it looks best in filtered shade. The light shade of a desert tree suits it well.
It grows fast and does well in pots in soil that drains well. Pull the pups as they come to keep one rosette in the pot.
Frost below about 20 to 27°F damages it, and in the colder parts of the Valley it can be hurt most winters. Soil that stays wet can rot the roots.
- Close group4 ft apart
- Standard5 ft apart
- Loose planting6 ft apart
Plant into dry soil and wait about 1 to 2 weeks before the first watering, or up to a month in cool weather. Then water about every other week while nights stay above 60°F. Light shade cloth for the first few weeks helps it settle in.
It takes more water than most agaves if the soil drains well. Water deeply about every 10 to 14 days in summer, less in spring and fall. Cut back on water by October.
It is hardy to about 20 to 27°F, and in colder parts of the Valley it can be damaged most winters. On frost nights, cover it with frost cloth that reaches the ground and take it off in the morning.
It makes many pups at the base, and the flower stalk can carry small plantlets. Cut them off with a clean knife, let the cut dry for several days, then plant them.
Most agaves need no fertilizer. If you feed, use a light balanced fertilizer in spring or early summer, never on a new transplant and never in fall or winter. No pruning is needed.
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.
Is Tropical Agave the same as smooth agave?
Yes. Agave desmettiana is sold as tropical agave and as smooth agave. The smooth name comes from its leaf edges, which mostly have no teeth.
Does Tropical Agave have spines?
Each leaf ends in a stout, sharp tip spine. The edges are mostly smooth, though some leaves carry tiny teeth. You can snip the tip spines off, and they do not grow back.
Can it take full sun in Phoenix?
It can take full sun and reflected heat, but in the low desert it looks better in filtered shade. Light, dappled shade under a tree is a good spot.
How big does it get?
It grows about 2 to 4 feet tall and 3 to 5 feet wide. It makes many pups, so the clump spreads with time.
How fast does it grow?
It grows fast and makes many pups at the base. Cut extra pups free if you want to keep a single rosette.
How far apart should I plant Tropical Agave?
Plant them about 4 to 6 feet apart, center to center. The Spacing tab shows the tiers.
How often should I water it?
It needs little water once rooted, and it also takes regular watering if the soil drains well. Water deeply about every 2 weeks in summer and far less in winter.
How cold can Tropical Agave take?
It is hardy to about 20 to 27°F. In the colder parts of the Valley it can be damaged most winters, so cover it with frost cloth on hard frost nights.
Does it make pups?
Yes, lots of them at the base. The flower stalk can also carry small plantlets. Cut pups off, let them dry for several days, then plant them.
When does it bloom?
It blooms after about 8 years or more. A branched stalk about 8 to 10 feet tall carries pale yellow flowers, then that rosette dies and the pups carry on. Night-flying pollinators visit the flowers.
Why is my agave soft or mushy?
Wet soil is the common cause, and it leads to root rot. Let the soil dry out between waterings and plant it where water drains away.
Is it poisonous to dogs or cats?
Agave is mildly poisonous if chewed. The sap can irritate a pet's mouth and skin and upset the stomach. Keep pets from chewing on it.
Tropical Agave for sale in Arizona, delivered to you
Tropical Agave, Agave desmettiana, is also sold as smooth agave. It grows fast, makes pups and has mostly smooth leaf edges. Below is what to expect in a Valley yard: sun and shade, size, spacing, water, frost, pups, blooming and where it fits.
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Tropical agave vs smooth agave
They are the same plant, Agave desmettiana. It is called smooth agave because its leaf edges are mostly smooth, with a sharp spine only at the tip.
Does Tropical Agave need shade in Phoenix?
It takes full sun and reflected heat, but it looks better in filtered shade in the low desert. Light, dappled shade from a tree works well.
How far apart do you plant Tropical Agave?
Space plants about 4 to 6 feet apart, center to center. Each rosette grows 3 to 5 feet wide and adds pups over time.
How big does Tropical Agave get?
About 2 to 4 feet tall and 3 to 5 feet wide. It grows fast and makes many pups at the base.
Is Tropical Agave cold hardy in the Valley?
It is hardy to about 20 to 27°F. In colder parts of the Valley it can be damaged most winters, so cover it with frost cloth on the coldest nights.
Can Tropical Agave grow in a pot?
Yes. It grows well in large pots in soil that drains well. It grows fast, so pull pups to keep the pot tidy.
How often do you water Tropical Agave?
It needs little water once rooted and also takes regular watering when the soil drains well. Wet soil that does not drain can rot the roots.
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