#1 – Agave americana
is commonly referred to as the American Century Plant. This plant has very attractive bluish leaves featuring prominent, saw-toothed spines.
The common variety is a solid bluish color. There is also a variegated variety known as Agave Americana Marginata. Both grow quite large and make good specimen plants in an open setting.
#2 – Agave victoriae-reginae
or Queen Victoria Agave is a smaller plant with upright, black tipped leaves that curve inward to form a compact dome.
This is a good choice as a container or potted plant or as a border plant as it only grows to be about a foot to 18″ inches tall.
The plant lives to be twenty or thirty years old and produces pretty, cream-colored or reddish-purple flowers on a fifteen-foot stalk as its swan song.
#3 – Agave filifera
is also known as the Thread Agave. The plant is very attractive with dark green leaves that may have a slightly bronze cast.
The leaves are edged is white and feature festive thread-like filaments. This medium-sized plant grows to be about three feet wide and two feet high.
#4 – Agave attenuata
is also called Dragon Tree or Foxtail.
The Agave attenuata plant grows to be four or five feet high and wide with a curved inflorescence holding greenish-yellow flowers on the spike which earned attenuata the common name, Fox Tail agave.
It is a spineless variety with soft, attractive, pliable, threat-free green leaves. When it is young and small, it makes an attractive easy-care houseplant.
As a container plant or in the landscape Attenuata does not present the dangers of its more aggressive cousins.
This is a good choice as a poolside plant or in a small yard where avoiding the plant might be difficult.
#5 – Agave parvivlora
is also known as the Small Flower Agave, Small Flower Century Plant or the Santa Cruze striped agave. This small, delightful plant only reaches a height of about eight inches. Agave parvivlora is similar to Agave filifera in that it also produces pretty “hair” filaments in curls around its compact, attractive leaves. This plant’s flower stalk stands 3-7 feet high and produces pretty yellow or cream-colored flowers that are very attractive to bees and other pollinators.
#6 – Agave tequilana azul
is also known as Weber’s Blue Agave, Tequila Agave or simply, Blue Agave. This is the plant that is used in making tequila. It is also a good landscaping plant for gardeners in high altitudes. These plants prefer rich, well-drained, sandy soil. The plants grow quite large and can live several decades, so if you take one on be prepared for a commitment!
#7 – Agave Parryi (Artichoke Agave)
strikingly beautiful plant, sharp black spears tip the ends of the broad, bluish-gray-green leaves. Grow on rocky, dry slopes.
Sun-loving plant makes a wonderful potted specimen.
#8 – Agave Desmettiana (Smooth Agave)
A soft smooth ‘people-friendly’ agave. Produces clumps of pups from basal offshoots. Strong focal or accent plant in desert gardens. Excellent for use around patios. Plant as single specimens or in groups spaced at 5′ to 6′ feet on center.
#9 – Agave Geminiflora (Twin Flower Agave)
Known as the pincushion agave. The hundreds of leaves form a whorl of dense, symmetrical, rounded, dense compact rosette..
#10 Agave Vilmoriniana (Octopus Agave)
Agave Vilmpriniana is better known as the Octopus Agave and is an unusual looking succulent agave with rosettes growing 3′ – 4′ feet high and 5′ – 6′ feet wide.
One of the ‘friendlier’ Agaves, with fine, soft serrations along the leaf margins and a soft terminal spine.
#11 Agave Potatorum (Butterfly Agave)
Agave Potatorum is more commonly known as the “butterfly agave”.
The leaves resemble the wings of a butterfly. It is a slow-growing, medium-sized agave and makes an attractive potted plant.
When grown in a container it is very easy to control its size.
#12 Agave Angustifolia (Caribbean Agave)
Rosette forming narrow-leaved variegated Century Plant growing to about 4′ feet high and wide.
Pale green agave leaves with creamy-white margins, quite stiff with very dangerous, sharp spines on the tips.
Flower stalk sometimes produces tiny plantlets or bulbils for replanting. Fragrant attract pollinators.
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