Agave sisalana

Sisal

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Common Name: 

Sisal

Plant Type: 

Flower color: 

Foliage color: 

Green

Sun (From 0 to 5): 

Water (From 0 to 5): 

Maximum temperature: 

40°C

Minimum temperature: 

10°C

Sisal (Agave sisalana) - Description

Sisal (/ˈsaɪsəl/) (Agave sisalana) is an agave that yields a stiff fibre traditionally used in making twine, rope and also dartboards. The term may refer either to the plant or the fibre, depending on context. It is sometimes incorrectly referred to as sisal hemp because hemp was for centuries a major source for fibre, so other fibres were sometimes named after it.

Sisal (Agave sisalana) - Blooming

Most Agaves require a long period of time before they will bloom. Fortunately, these plants are generally grown for their foliar aesthetics.

Sisal (Agave sisalana) - Growth

Agave should be planted in an area where it will receive full sun or partial shade. For the quickest rates of growth, give your Agaves high light and high heat.

Sisal (Agave sisalana) - Planting

Slow from seed, but you will most likely find these plants as small plantlets in pots. Plant the plantlets at around 6' apart as they can grow rather wide. Provide well-aerated soils.

Sisal (Agave sisalana) - Pest

Very few pests will bother these plants.

Sisal (Agave sisalana) - Interesting facts

The Agave genus is where you will find the species A. tequilana. The species name is derived from the agricultural use of the plant, which is especially abundant in the state of Jalisco in Mexico. A. tequilana is the plant that is used to make tequila. Agaves are generally long lived, but will die after they go to seed. Some species are so long lived they are commonly known as Century Plants (although it may not take 100 years for them to flower). The resulting flower spike resembles an extremely large asparagus, which makes sense since the Agavaceae plant family is relatively closely related to Asparagaceae. These plants are sometimes called American Aloes. This name is misleading however. Although they are native to the Americas (specifically the Southern United States and Central America), they are not related to Aloes. Aloes are old world plants native to Africa, Madagascar and the Arabian Peninsula.

Sisal (Agave sisalana) - Soil and irrigation

Most Agaves are known to be rather drought tolerant. Although they can deal with rather dry conditions, they thrive with little to moderate water and rich soils that drain quickly and provide good aeration to the roots. These plants are tremendously tolerant of the poorest and shallowest of soils.

Agave sisalana - Sisal - Photos