Many gardeners appreciate the attractive appearance of the various agave species. Some also shy away from the work and risk of injury associated with overwintering Agaves that are not hardy, but there are also some quite frost-hardy species.
Some agave species tolerate frost
Plant frost-tolerant agaves in the garden
Many agave species only survive frost in the range of single-digit minus degrees and for a very limited time. But there are also agave species that can survive cooler temperatures due to their origin in cool mountainous areas. While the common Agave americana can withstand temperatures down to about minus 10 degrees Celsius outdoors, the following species can also withstand temperatures as low as minus 20 degrees Celsius at times:
- Agave utahensis
- Agave parryi
- Agave inaequidens
In mild locations, sensitive specimens can also be covered with the brushwood of various conifers and thus protected from the frost.
Humidity is an important factor during the winter
Dying leaves on the agave are not necessarily indicative of disease, but rather often a sign of poor care. If agaves die off during or after the winter, this may be due to rot caused by excessive moisture at the site. You should prevent this with a drainage layer of gravel and sand in the bed or pot.
tips
When wintering outdoors, water collecting on the leaf rosettes can be a problem. On slopes, planting the agaves at a slight angle is a good idea so that the water can drain off automatically.