Water
Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings. Overwatering is the most common cause of death for Agave ovatifolia.
Reduce watering significantly in winter to mimic its arid native conditions and prevent root rot.
Also known as Whale's Tongue Agave · Whale’s Tongue Agave
Whale's Tongue Agave (Agave ovatifolia) is a striking succulent with broad, gray-blue leaves forming a symmetrical rosette. It's a magnificent specimen plant for arid lan
At-a-glance light, water, soil, and growing conditions from plant data
Full Sun
100% intensity
Prefers at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal growth and coloration.
Infrequent
25% intensity
Allow soil to dry out completely between waterings. Avoid waterlogged conditions.
Well-draining
50% intensity
Moderate to High
75% intensity
Thrives in warm temperatures. Can tolerate occasional light frost but prefers to be protected from prolonged freezing.
Low
25% intensity
Feed sparingly in spring with a diluted succulent fertilizer. Avoid over-fertilization.
Safety information from plant toxicity data
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Toxic for humans | No 0/5 intensity |
| Toxic for pets | No 0/5 intensity |
None
Key traits and growing stats from plant data
Watering, pruning, propagation, and repotting details from plant data
Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings. Overwatering is the most common cause of death for Agave ovatifolia.
Reduce watering significantly in winter to mimic its arid native conditions and prevent root rot.
Pruning is generally not necessary for Agave ovatifolia. Remove dead or dried leaves at the base of the plant as needed to maintain aesthetics. Wear protective gloves as the leaves have sharp margins.
Agave ovatifolia can be propagated from offsets (pups) that grow at the base of the mature plant. Carefully remove a pup with a sharp knife, allowing the cut surface to callus for a few days before planting in well-draining soil.
Repot mature Agave ovatifolia only when it becomes severely root-bound, typically every 2-3 years. Use a gritty, fast-draining potting mix formulated for succulents or cacti. Repot in spring before active growth begins.
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Monthly activity intensity for bloom and fruit across both hemispheres.
Flowering & fruiting calendar
Flowering & fruiting calendar
Photos of Category:agave Ovatifolia (Agave ovatifolia)
Where Category:agave Ovatifolia (Agave ovatifolia) is found
Density
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Common names and botanical synonyms
Botanical classification
| Rank | Name |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Division | Tracheophyta |
| Class | Liliopsida |
| Order | Asparagales |
| Family | Asparagaceae |
| Genus | Agave |
| Species | Agave ovatifolia |
Similar in genus Agave
Answers based on plant encyclopedia data
