Plant questions

Real questions from home gardeners, the kind people post with a worried photo, answered by GrowPls: what's likely going on, what to do about it, and when to worry.

Showing questions tagged #century-plant · show all

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  agave (likely foxtail agave)

  What is the feathery spike growing from my century plant (agave)?

  The “feathery” thing is your agave’s flower stalk starting to grow. Agaves flower once near the end of their life, sending up a big bloom spike, then the main rosette slowly dies while pups around it carry on.

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  century plant (agave)

  Is this root rot on my century plant pups and can I still save them?

  The dark, mushy tissue at the base does look like rot, likely from staying too wet, and the pups didn’t have time to grow strong roots. Cut back to firm, healthy tissue, let the pieces dry and callus, then replant in very well‑draining soil and keep almost dry until new roots form.

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