Agave vilmoriniana, more commonly known as the Octopus Agave, belongs to the Asparagaceae family and is native to Mexico. The succulent can grow up to 1 metre tall and as the name suggests, is octopus-like shaped. It goes dormant in winter.
Growth Rate
Agave vilmoriniana is both a fast-growing and long-lasting plant. The octopus agave is known to grow several inches every day from the day it is planted.
Flowering
Agave vilmoriniana only blooms once in its lifetime. During this time, you will get to see small yellow colored octopus agave flowers that appear in clusters.
Watering and Feeding
Water deeply but infrequently during the summer and not at all during the winter. Fertilize your Octopus Agave every two to three months during the beginning of the springtime season with a balanced fertilizer.
Soil
For proper Agave vilmoriniana care, prefer well-draining soil. If amended with inorganic materials like gravel or coarse sand, the soil can drain even more freely.
Hardiness
Keep in mind its hardiness zone of 9a to 11b and frost tolerance of -6.7°C. Dry conditions are preferable to humid ones as this plant doesn’t like having too much moisture around.
Light
The Octopus Agave is a succulent that requires full sun to thrive. If grown indoors, situate it near a window with at least six hours of direct sunlight daily.
Propagation
Agave vilmoriniana produces abundant plantlets that can be removed from the stalk, repotted, and cultivated as new plants. The seeding method can be difficult and unreliable.
Did you know that most homeowners call the plant the Octopus Agave because its long, and slender leaves arch in a way to look like octopus tentacles?
