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Agave filifera ( a - GAH - vee fil - LIF - er - uh ) is a clump - form member of the family Asparagaceae ( a - SPARE - uh - gay - see - eye ) . hail from central Mexico , this recurrent succulent is very similar Agave schidigera ( a - GAH - vee ski - DEE - ger - ruh .
you could tell these twoAgave plantsapart as Agave filifera has less conspicuous and fine hairs on its leaves . You may hear this plant referred to as Thread Agave or Thread - leaf Agave .
Agave Filifera Care
Size & Growth
An established , mature Thread Leaf Agave is made up of several mounds of moderately sized heads of dark green leaves pack closely together . Individual leaves are very strict , sharp , and up to a foot long .
Thread Agave has long , sharp , spear - like deep green leaves . bloodless marking run lengthwise with curly , attractive threads along the margins .
Flowering & Fragrance
When mature , Filifera will bloom by sending up a 6 ’ to 8 ’ foot long flower spike from the middle of a stem canker . There is no set meter of twelvemonth for this event to occur . Because these plants are monocarpic , it is a one - time event . After blooming , the parent russet scab will die .
The spike ’s stalk is bass purpleness , and so are the flower bud that appear all along the length of the shoot . It takes about a calendar month for the flower stalk to reach its full superlative and fill in bud output .
When the inch - long flower open , they are very pale icteric with touch of purple . Each one has six tepal - bakshish ( a combination of flower petal and sepals ) . These tepals curve back to expose moody purple stamens and pistils .
Light & Temperature
Thread Leaf Agave is quite cold tolerant . It can defy temperatures as low as 20 ° degrees Fahrenheit . They are also unbelievably high temperature and drouth tolerant and able to manage the punishing summer sun . They do well in full sunshine but also do quite well in lightly shaded configurations .
Watering & Feeding
Although these century plant are drought large-minded , you could rush along up growth by watering munificently during the hot , summer months . Just keep in mind that the quicker your flora develop , the faster it will senesce . This will mean blooming and the death of the rose window that blossom . The non - blooming rosettes that remain will still live .
Also , wear in mind that like all cactus and succulents , these plants can not tolerate put up in water .
In the winter , water extremely sparingly if at all . If you notice the leaves of the plant shriveling , provide urine .
Agave Filifera postulate niggling if any fertiliser . If you do decide to provide fertilizer , use a slow - dismission chemical formula , low in atomic number 7 , and intended for cactus and succulents . Fertilize once , ahead of time in the springtime , and perhaps again during the summertime .
Soil & Transplanting
Thread Agave can do quite well in any sandy , gravelly , well - drain soil when imbed in the landscape painting . If you want to keep your agave in a container , use a commercial succulent or cactus mix .
Alternately , you could make your own with a mixture that is one-half peat moss , a quarter loam and a quarterpumice .
Remember that excellent drainage is crucial , so always apply container with flock of drainage hollow . Terra - cotta or other porous textile is preferred .
Grooming & Maintenance
Remove damaged spear as needed the thread agave . manage with care as the spears are quite piercing and have a razor - like edge .
How To Propagate Agave Filifera
Agave Filifera produce many new rosettes throughout the growing season . Only a few of these will blossom and break down , so your clustering of agave will grow bigger with the passage of time .
To circularize , you’re able to merely divide the rosettes and quite a little each one up as a mature plant .
Recommended Agaves For Containers (Care Info)
Agave Filifera Pests or Diseases
Well deal for Thread Leaf Agave has few if any disease or worm problems . Like all agave , it can be attractive to theagave snout weevil .
Plants keep outdoors ( and peculiarly in dampish conditions ) may attract snails and slug . Ifoverwatered and/or maintained in poorly drain grime , root rot will ensue .
Is the Filifera plant considered toxic or poisonous?
Agave succus can cause serious contact dermatitis resulting in cherry-red , blistered tegument that can be dreadful and antsy for a couple of week . to boot , the itching may spontaneously recur within the ensuing year .
Be sure to wear mitt , farsighted sleeves , and eye protective cover when deal this plant . Wash up thoroughly afterward .
Is Filifera considered invasive?
Thread foliage agave is not considered invasive in the United States . [ source ]
Suggested Agave Filifera Uses
This compact century plant is quite versatile and can be used as an indoor plant or in a wide potpourri of full sunlight out-of-door options .
When you produce Thread Leaf Agave in a pot , you’re able to easy control the size of it .
It makes an excellent plus to any room with consistently ardent temperature and bright direct or collateral sun .
Outdoors , this attractive succulent makes a beautiful specimen plant improver to a cactus garden or rock garden . Your agave can also make a lovely keystone plant in the center of a perennial or annual garden .
In Mexico , Agave filifera has many practical uses . The alcoholic drink known as ‘ pulque ’ is deduct from its sap . to boot , its mush and fibers are used to make products such as Georgia home boy , rope , and some intellectual nourishment intersection .
