This century plant is an evergreen succulent in the asparagus family (Asparagaceae) native to central and northern Mexico. It grows 8 to 13 feet tall with equal spread in full sun in well-drained sandy to rocky soils. It is drought and poor soils tolerant. Divide the plant off-sets as needed for propagation. Colder temperatures are tolerated only if the soil is dry. The plant grows in a rosette of thick dark green stems with sharp teeth on the margins and a large spine at the tip. After 15- 25 years it produces a single massive and tall candelabra-type inflorescence. The inflorescence rises to 20 to 40 feet bearing small greenish-yellow flowers that attract birds, hummingbirds, and bees. Once seed set has occurred the rosette will die. This large plant is best used in arboretums, parks, university campuses or large yards as a specimen in a drought-tolerant, winter or rock garden. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Houseplants, Succulents, and Cacti", a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens. More information on Agave .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Soil texture
Sand; Shallow Rocky
Soil pH
Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage
Available space
6-feet-12 feet
Mature size
Height: 8 ft. 0 in. - 13 ft. 0 in. | Width: 8 ft. 0 in. - 13 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Clumping
Texture
Coarse
Leaf color
Blue; Gray/Silver
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Rosulate
Leaf shape
Lanceolate
Leaf margin
Serrate
Leaf feel
Prickly; Smooth; Waxy
Leaf value
Long-lasting; Showy
Leaf size
> 6 inches long, > 6 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Strap-shaped, waxy, blue-gray, long and broad leaves to 5 feet long when mature. Margins with sharp teeth and the tip with a long spine.
Flower color
Gold/Yellow; Green
Flower value
Fragrant
Flower form
Panicle
Flower shape
Tubular
Flower detail
15 to 40-foot flower stalk resembling a candelabra with many tubular greenish-yellow flowers occurs after 15 years or more years of age.
Bloom time
Summer
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit detail
Dried pod containing darkly colored seeds
Stem detail
Large tall green flowering stem.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Origin
Northern and central Mexico
Wildlife value
Attracts birds, hummingbirds and bees
Attracts
Bees; Hummingbirds
Food & Medicine
Edible parts
Stems
Fruit type
Capsule
Edibility
Used in the production of tequilas and mezcals. The stems are edible.
Uses (ethnobotany)
Fiber from the leaves has been used to make ropes, nets, sandals, clothing, bows, netting and mats. The spines have been used as a sewing needle. The roots have been used to make soap.
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Naturalized Area; Pool/Hardscape
Landscape theme
Drought Tolerant Garden; Rock Garden; Winter Garden