How To Kill Agave Americana

Agave Americana proves tough to kill for many gardeners. These plants grow to a six to 12 feet in size, according to the Johnson Wildflower Center at the University of Texas. Their spiked leaves make them a hazard for growing along walking paths. Since they grow by rhizomes in the ground, unless you kill these roots or dig them out completely, the agave Americana will return, but you can effectively kill these tough desert plants with some diligence.

Step 1

Dig up any roots around the agave plant with a sharp shovel. Dispose of these roots in a sealed trash bag and do not compost them.

Step 2

Saw the agave Americana plant down to the base stem coming from the ground.

Step 3

Soak a sponge brush with undiluted glysophate herbicide and immediately coat over the cut portion of the agave root.

Step 4

Repeat digging up and coating the roots of any more agave Americana plants that emerge.

Scales include three types of insects and over 1,000 species in North America. This diverse group of bugs can severely damage agave by piercing the flesh of plants and feeding on sap. Snout weevils (Scyphophorus acupunctatus) are serious pests and feed on several species of agave. The brownish-black insects are about a half-inch long and have long snouts. Damaged plants begin to collapse as tissue rot develops, and they eventually die. They are easily recognizable. Commercially available spray pesticides that are stronger can kill pests, but they may damage nearby plants and kill beneficial insects.