It’s easy and fun to divide and move agave plants and other plants that make clone offshoots, or “pups.” With a little work and patience, you can make your gardening budget go further by including them in your garden design. If you don’t have any more room, they also make great gifts!
We’re not talking about cuttings, so you don’t need to use a rooting hormone or worry about whether a cutting will “take” because you’re taking a whole plant from the “mother” plant and moving it to a new spot.
As long as you don’t damage the roots and give it the right soil and just the right amount of water, your newly moved agave should do just fine.
I decided to do a last-minute mini-planting-makeover in a small planting bed left of my home’s entry. I had to quickly get my house ready because it was being switched out for another on a holiday home tour.
Tall, tired plants were taking over the plantings on the left side of my front walk, so I got rid of them all but a palm tree that grew there on its own and some smaller agaves that I put there years ago. (Which were not meant to be a permanent location, but here they are 8 years later!).
One of my favorites, Agave salmiana ‘Ferox,’ was the plant I chose to go in front of my arched window because it was big and beautiful. Their large size and graceful, urn-shaped form make them a stand-out in any landscape. Ferox is Latin for ferocious, and this agave lives up to its name.
The only problem? December ‘tis not the season to be buying landscape plants, even from wholesale nurseries. My wholesaler only had it in a variegated form, which I didn’t want because I already have a bed with variegated Agave americana medio-picta ‘Alba.’
So, I looked all over the Bay Area and found that Cactus Jungle in Berkeley was the only place with one. It was actually Agave salmiana, minus the ‘Ferox’. However, I realized it’s actually the type planted at Cornerstone Gardens in Sonoma, which was my original inspiration. The people at Cactus Jungle told me that it has wider leaves than the Ferox cultivar, which I already think is better.
Stunning display of enormous Agave salmianas with Mexican Feathergrass repeated in rows at Cornerstone Gardens in Sonoma, CA
Being a retail nursery though, the price was quite a bit steeper than I would normally pay. Agaves are slow-growing plants that need a lot of work and time to grow before they can be sold when they’re big, which is why the 10 gallon container cost $185. After hemming and hawing, I decided to bite the bullet.
I always calculate the ROI (return on investment) of larger purchases. Just because I’ve wanted one for years isn’t the only thing that’s on my mind. I also think about the bigger picture. With my design sense, this won’t be a typical landscape when it’s all said and done, designed and installed. Having a plant like this that makes a statement can raise the value of my home, especially if I use landscape lighting to show it off right.
Good design should pay for itself and then some. Along with making something look good and work well, my goal with every design project is to add value. When planning a big project, whether it’s for the inside or the outside, I think you should think about the cost-benefit ratio. This means figuring out where to spend your money to get the most for it. It shouldn’t be the only thing you think about, though. Some parts of a project are there just because they make you happy, which can’t be measured in the same way but is still worth something.
Agave americana var. medio-picta Alba with pups in front of a Canary Island palm. Source | Greenhouse Studio
Some might say that this means it might be better to fund a kitchen project instead of a landscaping project. Maybe, but I think a lot of people can picture themselves remodeling their kitchen and will do a good job of it. As it stands, there are only so many ways to set up a kitchen. You can arrange the appliances, cabinets, and countertops in different ways, and you can choose from different surface and finish materials. All of this is laid out in a flat, usually rectangular box.
But a good landscape? Too often it’s done poorly or is at best, mediocre. Most people can’t handle the many variables in a living system like a garden well. You have to think about things like weather, slope, drainage, sun exposure, and more, in addition to how you arrange the hardscape and vertical elements and then choose the plants.
So, I think a great landscape adds a “wow” factor that other remodeling might or might not, and it can often be done for less money than many home remodeling projects. Therefore, potentially, a better ROI.
Overall, I want to stress that the agave can pay for itself, but not next season because they grow slowly and will need years to reach their full size.
However, this agave came with several pups which I’ll use a in other places in my landscape design. This offsets the cost of a few other plants I would otherwise have purchased from the wholesale nursery.
Agave salmiana “mother plant” is planted at upper left by the entry steps. Other locations for using the divided and transplanted agave pups are circled on the bottom half of plan.
When I realized I had these pups, I chose to use them instead of other plants that were on my home’s planting plan (see above).
Agaves are striking architectural plants that can make a dramatic statement in any garden. With their shapely rosette forms and sharp spiny leaves they have an exotic, tropical look. The good news is that agaves are also quite easy to grow, and transplanting an established agave plant is a straightforward process. Here’s a step-by-step guide to successfully transplanting an agave plant.
When to Transplant an Agave
The best time to transplant an agave is in early spring, before the weather gets too hot. Agaves grow slowly and are sensitive to disturbance of their root systems, so you want to give the plant as much time as possible to recover and re-establish itself before summer heat arrives.
Late fall can also work for transplanting agaves. Just be sure to get it done at least 6-8 weeks before your first expected frost so the roots have time to settle in before winter dormancy. Avoid transplanting in mid-summer when hot, dry conditions will stress the plant.
Preparing to Transplant the Agave
Before you start digging up your agave make sure you have the right location picked out for its new home. Agaves need full sun exposure and well-drained soil. Pick a spot that gets at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. Amend heavy clay soils with extra grit to improve drainage.
It’s also important to prepare the planting hole ahead of time. Dig a hole that is slightly larger than the existing agave root ball. Make sure the depth matches the current level of the root crown. Agaves should be planted at the same depth as their previous location – never deeper.
Water the agave plant thoroughly 1-2 days before transplanting. This will hydrate the plant and make it easier to extract the entire root ball intact. Avoid fertilizing for a few weeks before and after transplanting.
How to Transplant an Agave Step-By-Step
Follow these simple steps for successful agave transplantation:
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Carefully dig around the agave plant with a sharp shovel, starting about 6 inches away from the outer leaves. Slowly work the shovel down and under the root ball.
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Extract the entire agave root ball. Take care to keep the soil and roots intact as you lift the plant out. The fuller the root ball, the less transplant shock for the agave.
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Place the agave in the prepared hole. The depth should match its previous level in the ground. Ensure the plant is upright.
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Backfill the hole with native soil. Gently tamp down the soil to remove air pockets. Do not amend the backfill soil.
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Water deeply after planting to saturate the entire root ball and surrounding soil.
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Mulch around the agave with 2-3 inches of organic matter like bark chips or straw. This will help retain moisture.
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Stake the agave if needed to keep it upright until the roots re-establish. Remove stakes after a few months once the plant seems anchored.
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Water once a week for the first month, then resume a normal watering schedule. Reduce watering in winter during dormancy.
Caring for a Transplanted Agave
To help a transplanted agave recover quickly with minimal shock, follow these tips:
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Shade the plant from direct sun for 1-2 weeks after transplanting. Use a shade cloth or strategically placed shade umbrella.
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Do not remove any dead or damaged leaves right away. Leave them be until new growth resumes.
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Avoid fertilizing for at least 6-8 weeks after transplanting an agave.
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Check soil moisture frequently and water when the top few inches become dry. Avoid over-watering.
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Monitor for signs of transplant shock like leaf drooping or discoloration. Treat any fungal issues.
With proper aftercare, even a large, mature agave can successfully be relocated to a new spot in the garden. Within a season or two it will take root and resume healthy growth. Transplanting agaves opens up design possibilities and allows you to propagate these architectural beauties around your landscape.
Transplanting Agave Pups
In addition to transplanting mature agaves, another propagation method is separating and repotting agave “pups.” Many agave species produce these offspring plants (or pups) around the base of the mother plant.
The steps for transplanting agave pups are very similar:
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Carefully detach the pup from the parent plant with a clean, sharp knife or pruners.
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Keep as much of the original roots intact as possible.
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Pot the pup in well-draining cactus/succulent mix, matching previous soil depth.
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Follow aftercare tips for watering, sunlight, etc.
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Over time the pup will establish its own vigorous root system.
Pups are mini clones of the parent plant, so this is an easy way to multiply special agave varieties in your garden.
Common Questions about Agave Transplanting
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about transplanting agave plants:
How long does it take for a transplanted agave to establish?
- Most agaves will recover from transplant shock within 1-2 months. Full re-establishment may take 12-18 months.
Should I cut back the leaves when transplanting an agave?
- No, don’t remove any leaves before or immediately after transplanting. Let damaged foliage die back naturally.
When is an agave ready to transplant from a container?
- An agave pup in a small pot is ready for transplanting once the roots have filled out the container and it’s the size of a gallon pot or larger.
Can I divide an agave when transplanting?
- Yes, large agaves can be divided into smaller sections as long as each has some roots and leaves attached.
How long can an agave survive if not transplanted well?
- With poor transplanting technique or aftercare, an agave may decline gradually over 6-12 months and eventually die.
In Summary…
Transplanting an agave requires careful extraction and replanting of the entire root ball, along with proper aftercare. But it’s a straightforward process that can give agaves a new lease on life in your landscape. With a little TLC after transplanting, these sculptural succulents will once again enhance your garden design.
Budget landscaping + design repetition
Since agaves and other succulents are more expensive than many other plants, repotting your agave pups is a great way to save money on gardening. You can then use your free agave pups in your own landscaping.
Repetition is a core landscape design principal anyway. We generally don’t want to have just one of a particular plant except where you’re showcasing a large tree or specimen plant.
Repetition creates order to the eye, which humans find naturally pleasing.
You can also give agaves as gifts if you don’t need any more of a certain plant. One year, I gave my coworkers at the landscape architecture firm where I worked pups of my Agave americana var. medio-picta Alba in simple terra-cotta pots wrapped with a burlap bow along with Pete’s Coffee cards.
The grayish-green and creamy white variegated stripes made for a nice, “California green” holiday pot. (Many plants that are native to California or that do well in our mild, dry climate are gray-green instead of green-green.)
SHOP THE LOOK (Six of my favorite Agaves!) Queen Victoria Agave (A. victoriae reginae), Etsy Agave Blue Glow, Etsy Agave Blue Flame, Etsy Artichoke Agave (A. parryi var. truncata), Etsy Agave americana mediopicta Alba Agave salmiana Ferox, Etsy.
[Want more design inspo and helpful plant tips? Lets hang out on Instagram!]
I decided to do a last-minute mini-planting-makeover in a small planting bed left of my home’s entry. I had to quickly get my house ready because it was being switched out for another on a holiday home tour.
Tall, tired plants were taking over the plantings on the left side of my front walk, so I got rid of them all but a palm tree that grew there on its own and some smaller agaves that I put there years ago. (Which were not meant to be a permanent location, but here they are 8 years later!).
I knew I wanted a large, specimen agave in front of my arched window, so I planned for one of my favorites – Agave salmiana ‘Ferox’. Their large size and graceful, urn-shaped form make them a stand-out in any landscape. Ferox is Latin for ferocious, and this agave lives up to its name.
The only problem? December ‘tis not the season to be buying landscape plants, even from wholesale nurseries. My wholesaler only had it in a variegated form, which I didn’t want because I already have a bed with variegated Agave americana medio-picta ‘Alba.’
So after searching around, the only place in the Bay Area that had one was at Cactus Jungle in Berkeley. It was actually Agave salmiana, minus the ‘Ferox’. However, I realized it’s actually the type planted at Cornerstone Gardens in Sonoma, which was my original inspiration. I was told by Cactus Jungle that it has a broader leaf than the Ferox cultivar, which I consider to be more desirable anyway.
Stunning display of enormous Agave salmianas with Mexican Feathergrass repeated in rows at Cornerstone Gardens in Sonoma, CA
Being a retail nursery though, the price was quite a bit steeper than I would normally pay. Agaves are slow-growing plants that need a lot of work and time to grow before they can be sold when they’re big, which is why the 10 gallon container cost $185. After hemming and hawing, I decided to bite the bullet.
I always calculate the ROI (return on investment) of larger purchases. Just because I’ve wanted one for years isn’t the only thing that’s on my mind. I also think about the bigger picture. With my design sense, this won’t be a typical landscape when it’s all said and done, designed and installed. Having a plant like this that makes a statement can raise the value of my home, especially if I use landscape lighting to show it off right.
Good design should pay for itself and then some. Along with making something look good and work well, my goal with every design project is to add value. When planning a big project, whether it’s for the inside or the outside, I think you should think about the cost-benefit ratio. This means figuring out where to spend your money to get the most for it. It shouldn’t be the only thing you think about, though. Some parts of a project are there just because they make you happy, which can’t be measured in the same way but is still worth something.
Agave americana var. medio-picta Alba with pups in front of a Canary Island palm. Source | Greenhouse Studio
Some might say that this means it might be better to fund a kitchen project instead of a landscaping project. Maybe, but I think a lot of people can picture themselves remodeling their kitchen and will do a good job of it. As it stands, there are only so many ways to set up a kitchen. You can arrange the appliances, cabinets, and countertops in different ways, and you can choose from different surface and finish materials. All of this is laid out in a flat, usually rectangular box.
But a good landscape? Too often it’s done poorly or is at best, mediocre. Most people can’t handle the many variables in a living system like a garden well. You have to think about things like weather, slope, drainage, sun exposure, and more, in addition to how you arrange the hardscape and vertical elements and then choose the plants.
So, I think a great landscape adds a “wow” factor that other remodeling might or might not, and it can often be done for less money than many home remodeling projects. Therefore, potentially, a better ROI.
Overall, I want to stress that the agave can pay for itself, but not next season because they grow slowly and will need years to reach their full size.
However, this agave came with several pups which I’ll use a in other places in my landscape design. This offsets the cost of a few other plants I would otherwise have purchased from the wholesale nursery.
Agave salmiana “mother plant” is planted at upper left by the entry steps. Other locations for using the divided and transplanted agave pups are circled on the bottom half of plan.
When I realized I had these pups, I chose to use them instead of other plants that were on my home’s planting plan (see above).
So what does this all have to do with agave transplanting?
The bottom line is good design should provide a return on your time and money invested. A specimen plant properly sited in the landscape can be an important contribution to a landscape design project.
Digging up and dividing up your extra pups or other succulents can also save you money or even make you some money if you want to start your own little succulent side business. If nothing else, it can support your succulent habit!
Now we’ll finally get on to the transplanting:
- Thick gloves—some people like nitrile gloves, but I like goatskin for cactus spines.
- Clippers/pruners (these are quality pruners at a good value)
- Containers for potting transplanted pups
- Soil for repotting (Heres a good succulent mix )
- Tarp (optional)
My 10 gallon Agave salmiana (you can purchase one here) came with about 6-ish pups that were ready to be split off and a couple more that weren’t ready to leave their mother. (The main plant is called the “mother” plant and the offshoots are “pups”.)
My Agave salmiana “mother plant” at Cactus Jungle in Berkeley, CA with pups crowding the sides of the container.