How to Propagate Blue Agave or Century Plants

Blue agave or century plant propagates easy from the small shoots that come up around the mother plant. Look for small bluish colored sprouts coming up next to larger century plants. In fact you are doing the mother plant a favor by preventing too many daughter plants from crowding it out.

Wearing gloves, carefully clear away dirt and vegetation and determine which way the root is coming from. Normally this is toward the larger century plant or mother plant. Now use a shovel and dig up the small century plant shoot and as much root as possible. Be careful not to get poked by the larger plant. Century plant or blue agave juice may cause a rash so avoid getting any on your skin. Wrap the shoots and soil in burlap or place in a cardboard box until you plant them. Keep the shoots and root cutting damp.

Locate an area where you would like to have another large century plant. Be aware that the small shoots will be large agave someday. Don't place next to your property line or septic fields, since roots just like the one you dug up will someday grow outward from the mother plant. Don't crowd driveways or places where people walk. Avoid planting century plants in areas near where children play. Century plants produce large, dangerous thorns that can cause injury. Plant the root cuttings about six inches deep, with the bluish shoot at the end of the root about three inches above ground. Cover with soil and water every few days at first, then once a week after the shoots are rooted.