Agave offers a southwestern flair with its big, spiky leaves and nectar with uses from coffee syrup to tequila. There are over 250 agave varieties, but the main care tenants are the same: full sun, low humidity and well-draining, slightly acidic soil. Water regularly for the first month or two, then only water your agave when the soil is dry. The raw sap is toxic, so keep young kids and pets away.

Agave is very pest-resistant; the only major potential problems are agave snout weevils, grease mites and root rot from overwatering. Some herbicides also damage the roots. If you see an affected plant, remove and destroy it to prevent the problem from escalating.

Another reason for agave’s popularity is how easy it is to start at home. Get a shallow tray or flat with drainage holes, fill it with seed-starting mix and scatter the seeds on top. Keep the soil lightly moist and add plastic wrap or a humidity dome. Place the tray in an area that is about 70 degrees with indirect sunlight. Remove the cover when the seedlings emerge, which should take a few weeks. If you’re transplanting outdoors, harden off the seedlings for up to a week beforehand.

You can plant, transplant or move agave outdoors when nighttime temperatures are above 50 degrees. Most people plant in the spring, but early fall will also give the roots time to establish. Agave can be anywhere from 1 to 10 feet tall and wide, so spacing depends on the variety. Apart from the sun requirement, agave can adapt to many environments, including sandy and rocky soil.

Compact and midsize agave make great container plants for patios, window boxes and side tables. The roots are shallow, giving you more flexibility. Use a potting soil formulated for succulents or cacti, and keep indoor agave near a south-facing window.

Agave has evolved to grow well in poor soil, and in many cases, fertilizer will overwhelm the structure and cause it to collapse from excess growth. Test the soil to determine if supplemental nutrients are necessary. If you fertilize, use slow-release granular or liquid fertilizer diluted to half-strength. Balanced or cactus-specific formulas are viable options.

These perennial succulents can survive outdoors in zones 5-11 based on the variety, and indoors just about anywhere. If you’re in a colder area, bring your agave inside before the first fall frost and place it by a sunny window. For outdoor agave, reduce watering even more during cooler months.

Agaves do not require regular pruning other than removing dead or damaged leaves. Use a clean knife or sharp scissors. When working with agave, wear protective gloves and safety glasses. Some varieties die back after blooming, but form small offshoots (called “pups”) that you can remove and propagate into new plants.

Be aware that if you’re growing agave for its nectar, it takes 5 to 10 years to fully mature. It’s ready when the core starts swelling and the leaves droop a bit. Carefully cut away all leaves and thorns, then remove the core from the roots.