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Whale's Tongue Agave

Also known as

Whale's Tongue Century Plant

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Agave ovatifolia

Genus

Agave

Family

Asparagaceae

Order

Asparagales

How to care for Whale's Tongue Agave

💦 Water

How often to water your Whale's Tongue Agave

Whale's Tongue Agave needs 0.5 cups of water every 12 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.

Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Water 0.5 cups every
12

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

No Yes

Select the pot size

☀️ Light

Finding light for Whale's Tongue Agave in your home

Whale's Tongue Agave love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

Whale's Tongue Agave does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Whale's Tongue Agave in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Whale's Tongue Agave

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Whale's Tongue Agave: repot after 2X growth

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.

By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.

To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Whale's Tongue Agave after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

Browse #Agave

💡 FAQs

⭐ Difficulty Level

Whale's Tongue Agave is generally considered an easy-to-care-for plant and makes a great choice for beginners!

How to Grow Whale's Tongue Agave →

Benefits of Growing Whale's Tongue Agave →

Common Whale's Tongue Agave Problems →

Outdoor Care Guide for Whale's Tongue Agave →

💦 Water Needs

Whale's Tongue Agave thrives in dry soil and should be watered sparingly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Whale's Tongue Agave Water Frequency →

Whale's Tongue Agave Root Rot →

☀️ Sunlight Needs

Whale's Tongue Agave requires abundant, bright and direct light. Place it less than one foot from a window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.

Whale's Tongue Agave Light Requirements →

Whale's Tongue Agave Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Whale's Tongue Agave is not safe to consume. If you, a family member, or a pet has ingested any amount of plant material contact Poison Control, US (800) 222-1222, or your veterinarian. If you have children, cats, or dogs in the home, we suggest keeping this plant out of reach.

💨 Humidity

Whale's Tongue Agave prefers dry environments. Providing extra humidity or misting your plant allows water to linger on leaves, which can create the perfect environment for harmful types of fungi.

Whale's Tongue Agave Humidity Needs →

🪴 Soil

Whale's Tongue Agave is very sensitive to wet soil, so choose a potting soil that drains very well and doesn’t retain too much moisture. A good soil will have lots of perlite or vermiculite for drainage and some organic matter for nutrition. A few handfuls of perlite added to regular store-bought cactus soil will do the trick!

Best Soil Mix for Whale's Tongue Agave →

Best Pots for Whale's Tongue Agave →

When and How to Successfully Repot Whale's Tongue Agave →

What Are Healthy Whale's Tongue Agave Roots →

💩 Fertilizer

Whale's Tongue Agave grows very slowly and doesn’t require added fertilizer. Replacing your plant’s potting soil once a year should provide them with more than enough nutrition. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!

How Much and When to Fertilize Whale's Tongue Agave →

❄️ Dormancy

It’s common for Whale's Tongue Agave to go dormant in the wintertime and you may notice their growth slow down. Waterings should be spaced out more during this time.

🌎 Native Region

Whale's Tongue Agave is native to the Americas.

🌸 Flowers

Yes, you may see your Whale's Tongue Agave bloom with the right amount of sunlight and water.

Whale's Tongue Agave Flowers →

Is Whale's Tongue Agave an Annual Plant? →

Is Whale's Tongue Agave a Perennial Plant? →

Whale's Tongue Agave Pollination Guide →

Common Whale's Tongue Agave Flower Problems →

⬆️ ⬇️ Growth Pattern

Whale's Tongue Agave grows in a rosette pattern, with leaves neatly arranged in a circle. New growth will emerge from the center.

Whale's Tongue Agave Lifecycle →

Whale's Tongue Agave Size Guide →

How and When to Prune Whale's Tongue Agave →

🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Whale's Tongue Agave can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 7a-11b. Find your local hardiness zone here.

Whale's Tongue Agave Temperature Tolerance →

Whale's Tongue Agave Hardiness Zones →

Landscaping Ideas with Whale's Tongue Agave →

When to Plant Whale's Tongue Agave →

How to Plant Whale's Tongue Agave →

Where to Plant Whale's Tongue Agave →

Winter Care for Whale's Tongue Agave →

Best Companion Plants for Whale's Tongue Agave →

Is Whale's Tongue Agave a Weed? →

🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.

Common Bugs Affecting Whale's Tongue Agave →

What Eats Whale's Tongue Agave? →

😖 Common Issues

Overwatering is a likely cause of issues with Whale's Tongue Agave. These plants are very sensitive to wet soil so if you notice your plant becoming squishy or translucent, overwatering is the likely culprit.

Cut your plant just past where the rot ends and allow it to callus over for a few days before replanting it in fresh, dry soil. Download Greg to make sure your plant never gets overwatered again!