Blue Agave Winter Protocol in Virginia Beach (Zone 7)

Immediate Order: Stop Watering

Agaves, like cacti, need zero winter water. Wet roots + freezing temps = root death. The browning/bending leaves are cold stress on hydrated tissue.

Winter Rules

• No water until sustained warm temps return (summer).
• Do not dig up—disturbs roots further.
• Night covers help marginally but dry cold is the key.
• Ocean-front specimens survive due to microclimate + established roots.

Spring Assessment

If center remains strong, it will recover. Agaves are remarkably resilient if kept dry in winter.

Report back if decline continues—we'll reassess.