Sisal (Agave sisalana) – Succulent plants

Sisal (Agave sisalana) is a beautiful, perennial succulent plant, up to 2 m tall with a short stem and sword-shaped leaves extending from a basal rosette. The leaves are up to 10 cm wide and up to 1.5 m long with a sharp dark brown spine at the end, grey-green in color. A branched inflorescence forms atop a flower stalk up to 9 m tall with yellowish-green flowers up to 7.5 cm wide.

Scientific Classification:

Family: Asparagaceae
Subfamily: Agavoideae
Genus: Agave

Scientific Name: Agave sisalana Perrine
Synonyms: Agave rigida var. sisalana, Agave amaniensis, Agave segurae, Agave sisalana var. armata, Agave sisalana f. armata.
Common Names: Sisal, Sisal Agave, Sisal Hemp, Hemp Plant, Mescal

How to grow and maintain Sisal (Agave sisalana):

Light:
It thrives best in full sun to light shade. A south or south-east facing window works great.

Soil:
It prefers to grow in well-drained soil. Use standard succulent or cacti potting mix.

Temperature:
It prefers warm spring and summer temperatures 70ºF/21ºC – 90ºF/32ºC and cooler fall and winter temperatures 50ºF/10ºC – 60ºF/15ºC.

Water:
In spring, water this plant when the top inch of soil is totally dry. Don’t let the soil become completely dry. In the winter and fall, when growth is suspended, water very lightly. Too much water can cause root rot or cause the leaves to become pale and flop.

Fertilizer:
Fertilize with a standard liquid fertilizer every two weeks during spring and summer. Do not feed during fall and winter.

Propagation:
It can be easily propagated from offshoots which is the fastest and most reliable method of agave plant production. Agave plants put out offshoots from the base of the mother plants that are easily removed to start a new plant. Growing agave from seed produces a large number of plants quickly. A moist, sterile soil mix containing equal parts perlite and sphagnum peat is ideal for germinating seeds in a warm location with indirect light. The soil must stay lightly moist until the plants are established. A clear plastic covering helps keep the soil moist during the two to three weeks until the seeds sprout, then a daily misting keeps the seedlings moist until ready to transplant.

Pests and Diseases:
It has no serious pest or disease problems. Watch for mealybugs and scale.