How to prune agave attenuata 'boutin blue'

Early spring for frost-damage cleanup; any time for routine dead-leaf removal. Using bypass shears, cut dead or frost-damaged outer leaves cleanly at the base. For frost-blackened tissue, wait until you can see clearly where live tissue begins before cutting.

Rarely — once or twice a year as needed. Agave attenuata 'Boutin Blue' is a soft-leaved agave that needs minimal pruning. Remove dead or yellowing outer leaves at the base as they naturally die back. Its lack of terminal spines makes this easier than most agaves. Trim away any frost-damaged leaves after the last frost date in early spring.

Using bypass shears, cut dead or frost-damaged outer leaves cleanly at the base. For frost-blackened tissue, wait until you can see clearly where live tissue begins before cutting.