Agave ‘Blue Glow’ (Blue Glow Agave)

Common Name: Because the scientific name for this plant is so simple, it is just referred to as “Blue Glow”. The name on the tag when I bought it was “Aloe Blue Glow”, but it is not an Aloe!

Scientific Classification:
Order: Asparagales
Family: Asparagaceae (yep, same as Asparagus!)
Sub-Family: Agavoideae
Genus: Agave
Cultivar: ‘Blue Glow’ is a cultivated hybrid between Agave attenuata and Agave ocahui.¹

Note: Even though they look very similar, Agaves and Aloes are two entirely different plant genera, from two entirely different plant families. Agaves belong to the Agave genus, which belong to the Asparagaceae family. Aloes belong to the Aloe genus, which belong to the Asphodelacea family. They do belong to the same order though, Asparagales.

Native To: Mexico

Growing Specs: 

• Appearance: Smooth blue-green solitary rosettes with yellow-edged, red margins. Will grow up to 2 ft. tall and 3 ft. wide. The leaves have a characteristic blue glow to them when backlit by the sun, hence the name.
• Flowering: Agaves are monocarpic, meaning they only bloom once in their lifetime. If grown indoors, they likely won’t flower. If grown outdoors, they will flower between the 10th and 15th years. The flower will be a single, erect bloom towering up to 10 ft. tall. The flowers are greenish-yellow and bloom in panicles.
• Hardiness: Hardy to 20-25 degrees F.

pan·i·cle

/ˈpanək(ə)l/

noun

BOTANY

plural noun: panicles

1. a loose branching cluster of flowers, as in oats.

Care Requirements: This is an extremely slow-growing plant. It will not require transplanting every year like most plants. Give it the sunniest window in your house, or full sun outside. It will thrive in heat. Definitely make sure to use a cactus mix, such as Hoffman 10410 Organic Cactus and Succulent Soil Mix, 10 Quarts. Water only when the soil has dried out, about 1-2 times per month.

Propagation: The best way to propagate agaves is by coring, where the growing point in the center of the plant is removed, which causes new pups to emerge on the stem. Check out Succulents and More for detailed information!

Toxicity: Agave plants are mildly toxic to pets. Agave plants contain oxalates, which are needle-shaped crystals. These crystals can cause mouth, tongue and throat irritation, and less frequently, swelling of the throat. Check out my Pet Safety Guide for more information.

Xylem Rising’s Observations: Be careful of the leaf tips – they’re sharp! I’ve been punctured a few times! Don’t over-water. This Agave comes from a very dry, hot climate. I give it a thorough watering only about once a month in the hot months and every other month throughout the winter.

Agave ‘Blue Glow’

~CRK.

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1. World of Succulents