As an exotic desert native, the agave is famous for being tough as nails. But even these rugged succulents have a few weak spots when it comes to pests and diseases. Interestingly enough, most agave health issues actually stem from “over-parenting” or common care mistakes rather than the plant being naturally weak.
Common Agave Issues: Yellowing and Leaf Chlorosis
If you’re growing agave in a wetter climate, your biggest enemy is high humidity and the dreaded standing water. When growing these succulents in pots, the best thing you can do is use a specialized, nutrient-poor substrate. This is your first line of defense to make sure moisture doesn’t get trapped around the roots.
Even during those scorching summer heatwaves, you should only water your agave when the top layer of soil is bone-dry and crumbly to the touch. If you see the leaves starting to turn yellow, it’s usually a cry for help that the plant is getting too much water. If you’ve overdone it, don’t panic! You can usually save the plant from root rot by quickly repotting it into fresh, dry soil.
Another common issue is “leaf chlorosis.” This usually happens if you’re watering with hard tap water. You’ll notice the leaf rosette starting to look a bit pale or whitish. If you see this, check the lime/calcium content of your water. Hard water is tough on almost all plants. A quick pro-tip: if your tap water is very hard, boil it and let it cool completely before watering. High temperatures (above 140°F) help break down the lime.
Common Agave Pests: Scale Insects and the Agave Snout Weevil
Every now and then, scale insects might decide to make your agave their new home. They can stunt the growth of younger, more sensitive plants and, let’s be honest, they just look gross. The good news is that if you keep a close eye on your plants, you’ll spot these colonies early. You can get rid of them pretty easily using:
- Organic pesticides (like neem oil)
- Standard chemical pesticides
- Simply blasting them off with a focused stream of water
You might have also heard of the “Agave Snout Weevil” (often associated with palms). While this beetle has been a major headache for *Agave americana* populations in Mexico and warmer regions, it’s not a huge threat in cooler climates yet. Since the weevil population density is very low in Central Europe and many parts of the Northern US, we haven’t seen a major outbreak here—so you can breathe a sigh of relief for now!
