If you’ve been reading my posts, you know that I’m a fan of agaves. (Read my post on Dividing Agaves). They are drought hardy – something I’m always looking for here in California, but in addition, agaves can tolerate both mild freezing temperatures and extreme heat.
Agaves are native to southwestern North America, so are acclimated to the high desert areas like Mexico, Arizona and New Mexico, which get long periods of heat and drought, with wintertime cold and occasionally even freezing temps.
Here are a few of my favorites suited for the California landscape. I’m listing them in order of size, largest to small.
Agave Americana Marginata is a huge specimen, growing 8-10 feet tall and as wide. It is relatively common in western landscapes, because of its hardiness. This species has sawteeth along the edges of each leaf as well as a thick spine on the end of each leaf, so be very careful when handling, and make sure to plant in an area that can handle its size without people needing to brush against it. Not a good choice for next to a driveway. Produces pups prolifically. Sometimes the pups of a variegated mother (as shown in the photo) will be solid blue or green rather than variegated.
Agave Americana Mediopicta Alba is another large agave, growing up to 6-8 feet tall. It is different from A. Marginata in that the creamy color is on the inside of the leaf, rather than the outside edges of the leaf. Also, the leaves are statuesque and sculptural, and not haphazard as the A. Marginata leaves tend to be. Blooms after about 30 years; the bloom stalk can reach 30 feet tall and 6-10 inches in diameter. Also quite common in western landscapes, they can tolerate temps down to 0, but they hate wet and damp. Very striking as a pair in large pots flanking an entryway due to their architectural shape.
Agave Salmiana Ferox is a slower grower than the A. Americanas, but it can grow 6 feet tall and spread as much as 10 feet wide. This huge agave has absolutely wicked black spikes on the end of each leaf and more teeth along the edges of the leaf, making it one of the more “dangerous” agaves. However in its defense, it has a lovely imprint across each leaf from the leaf below it, which appears as it unfolds from the center (basal rosette), creating a sculptural effect which I love. Keep this one away from walkways. Blooms with yellow flowers at about 25 years.
Agave Sisalana (Sisal, or Hemp) is native to southern Mexico but due to its fiber cultivated for materials and rugs is now grown in many countries. It can grow as large as 6 feet tall and 6 feet wide. Sisal too is slower growing than the A. Americanas, but is a graceful specimen with thin, uniform, swordlike leaves. As it grows older, a short, thick stem develops where older leaves used to be.
Agave Angustifolia is a tidy plant with lovely variegated markings on the sawtooth edged leaves. The leaves are stiff and straight which contribute to its clean look. The plant grows to about 4 feet tall and wide, and it looks great in a mixed succulent bed with selections such as barrel cactuses and beaver tails
Agave Titanova is one of the larger agaves, not unlike Salmiana Ferox, but in a Frosty blue-gray color. This agave can grow 4 feet tall and wide, or more, and is cold hardy down to about zero. White hook-like teeth along the edges of each leaf set it apart.
Agave Blue Flame Is a spineless agave (yay!) with a soft blue color which can grow 3-4 feet tall and up to 5 feet wide. Blue Flame is a relatively new hybrid which is appearing in many more high end landscapes lately. Prefers partial sun rather than all day heat to keep its blue color. The above specimen is not mine; it is growing on a corporate campus in Southern California.
Agave Desmetiana is a lighter green color agave with neat, creamy edges. It is referred to as a smooth or spineless agave, from the idea that with its soft or small teeth, it is more friendly to people. It has a more architectural urn form, not unlike the A. Americana MedioPicta Alba. This agave grows approximately 3 feet tall and wide, usually a little taller than wide. It makes a lovely landscape specimen, but it is not as cold hardy as the other agaves on this list, so plant in frost free areas.
Agave Parryi, also known as artichoke agave, is a more compact species in a wonderful blue gray color. It can grow up to 3 feet tall and wide, usually a little shorter than wide. This is a very nice plant for small hillsides, mailboxes, and the front of the border. Pups are easy to pull out and transplant, but be careful of the leaf tip spike, which is extra long, sharp and stiff. Don’t let that deter you; the sharp spike protects the plant so it keeps its lovely compact form.
Agave Geminiflora is a slow grower native to Mexico and can grow from 2-3 feet tall and wide. This agave has the narrowest of leaves, which are very flexible and with no barbs or teeth. As it ages, the leaves become more and more dense, until you have a full orb of leaves which number in the hundreds. The flowers form in pairs on spikes which could be 8 feet tall.
Agave Bracteosa is another completely spineless agave, growing about 2 1/2 feet wide by about one to 1 1/2 feet tall. This lovey agave has thin, flexible leaves which curl gracefully at the ends. Even though there are no spines, be careful because the edges of the leaves are sharp if you run your finger along it. More like a paper cut than a needle. Much lighter green than most of the other agaves listed here. Suitable for planting in pots as it won‘t need to be transplanted (as long as the pot is 16-18 inches in diameter).
Agave Victoriae Reginae is a (relatively) small, unique agave with distinct markings on each thick, stiff leaf. It grows about a foot tall, so does fine in containers without the need for repotting each year. This agave has spikes at the end of each leaf, but no sawteeth or other sharps along the side of the leaves. Note the elegant striped markings on each leaf.
