Agave Varieties

4. Plant Description and Characteristics

Agave salmiana var. ferox is a truly imposing succulent, capable of reaching impressive dimensions. **The leaves are long, thick, and fleshy, often a vibrant green or blue-green in color, but the true visual statement comes from the marginal spines. These are exceptionally large, reddish-brown to black teeth lining the edges, creating a terrifying yet beautiful serrated profile. The terminal spine at the end of the leaf and, more importantly, on the robust margins, is usually formidable, often several inches long, reinforcing the "ferox" or ‘ferocious’ name.

4. Plant Description and Characteristics

Agave peacockii embodies compact beauty. This fascinating agave showcases a unique convergence of form and function, perfectly adapted to its challenging environment.

Plant Description and Characteristics

Agave salmiana x Agave mapisaga displays characteristics inherited from its parents, often producing a large, impressive specimen. Mature specimens can grow to heights and widths of 2-4 meters (6.5 – 13 feet) tall and wide, but sizes can vary. The leaf color can range from gray-green to blue-green, possibly with a hint of silver. The leaf texture is generally smooth and sword shaped, and the margins are armed with large, reddish-brown spines that become gray with age. A terminal spine caps each leaf, also reddish-brown to grayish. Some hybrids have a slightly wavy and textured leaf margin. If the hybrid flowers, it will produce an enormous, towering flower stalk (up to 8-10 meters (26-33 feet) tall), bearing numerous yellow or greenish-yellow flowers. The time to flowering is often measured in decades. The size and hardiness of the Agave salmiana, combined with the potential for variegations of the Agave mapisaga add an attractive blend.

4. Plant Description and Characteristics

Agave pedunculifera is a slow-growing agave, eventually reaching a height of up to 1.5 meters (5 feet) and a width of approximately 1 meter (3 feet). Its most distinctive feature is its prominent, woody stem, the "pedestal," which can grow to a significant length, elevating the leaf rosette above the ground. The rosette itself forms an impressive, dense cluster. The leaves are blue-green, often with a glaucous bloom (a waxy, powdery coating), giving them a frosted appearance. They are lanceolate, meaning they are shaped like a lance head, and can be up to 75 cm (30 inches) long and 10 cm (4 inches) wide. The margins of the leaves are smooth, with a relatively small, dark, terminal spine. There are no teeth or spines along the edges of the leaves, making them feel quite smooth to the touch. The plant is monocarpic; it flowers only once in its lifetime, typically after many years (10-20 or more) of growth. The flower stalk reaches up to 6 meters (20 feet) in height and emerges from the center of the rosette. The flowers are typically yellow or reddish, tubular in shape and are arranged along branched inflorescence. Its defining characteristic is undoubtedly the pedestal stem. This form is rarely observed in other Agave species, making this particular agave both distinctive and sought after by collectors.

4. Plant Description and Characteristics

Agave salomonii is a relatively compact agave, forming a symmetrical rosette that generally reaches a mature height and width of only 0.6 to 1 meter (2 to 3.3 feet). Its overall shape is globose to slightly elongated, making it a striking visual impact.

4. Plant Description and Characteristics

Agave pendula is a relatively fast-growing agave, developing a clumping rosette habit, contrasting with the solitary form seen in other species, often growing into a thick cluster of plants. Its unique form makes it stand out.

• Size and Growth Habit: Mature plants typically reach a height and width of around 3-4 feet (0.9-1.2 meters), although its weeping habit can make the plant appear larger, cascading over a planting pot creating a beautiful and natural aesthetic. It forms offsets from the base, creating a cluster over time.
• Leaf Characteristics: The leaves are lanceolate (spear-shaped) and slightly succulent, with a vibrant green color that can develop a reddish tinge in full sun. Their most distinctive feature is their pendulous (weeping) nature, with the tips gracefully arching downwards, creating a graceful cascade that enhances the texture and interest of any landscape. The margins are usually smooth, and the tips do not have spines, which adds to its elegance.
• Flower Characteristics: While Agave pendula does flower, it is not frequently observed in cultivation. The flowering stalk arises from the center of the plant and can reach up to 10-15 feet (3-4.5 meters) in height. The flowers are greenish-yellow and tubular. The plant is monocarpic, meaning it flowers once and dies afterward, though the offsets continue to live, ensuring the plant lives on, creating a visually appealing pattern.
• Unique Features: The weeping leaf habit and the relatively fast growth rate distinguish Agave pendula from many other Agave species, which often feature stiffer, spined leaves and considerably slower growth. The lack of spines on the leaves also lends the plant its elegant appeal, making it a safer option for gardens with children or pets, yet still providing a striking and exotic visual appeal, creating a plant to be observed across the landscape.

Agave scaposa stands out with its small, compact form, creating a dense rosette which gives it a squat appearance, with plants reaching a height of around 1 to 2 feet (30-60 cm) and a width of 2 to 3 feet (60-90 cm) at maturity. The leaves are somewhat fleshy in appearance, and tend to be a grey-green color. The leaves are wide, usually ovate in shape, and often possess a slightly undulating margin, which adds to the plant’s visual interest. The margins are often also lined with small, reddish-brown teeth giving the leaf a somewhat jagged edge. At the apex of each leaf is a sharp, dark brown terminal spine, serving as a defense mechanism. Agave scaposa is monocarpic – it flowers only once in its lifetime, after which the main rosette dies. The flower stalk emerges from the center of the plant, reaching up to 6 to 10 feet (1.8 to 3 meters) tall. The flowers are usually bell-shaped yellow or greenish, which bloom during a mid-summer season. A distinct feature of Agave scaposa is its relatively short, stout trunk compared to other agave species, which sets it apart and adds to its compact appearance.

4. Plant Description and Characteristics:

Agave petrophila is generally a smaller to medium-sized agave, forming attractive rosettes. The leaves are thick, fleshy, and generally a vibrant green color, sometimes with a slightly bluish hue, especially in full sun. The leaves are lanceolate to slightly ovate, with a smooth surface texture and margins that are typically smooth or only slightly toothed. The tip of the leaves are generally without spines, which can be a strong distinguishing factor. Leaf arrangements are typically radial, meaning they come out from the center of the plant. This lack of spines or teeth along the leafe margins is the most obvious characteristic distinguishing Agave petrophila from many other agaves, which are generally considered quite spiney, and makes the plant relatively safe to handle.

4. Plant Description and Characteristics

Agave ovatifolia is a large succulent perennial that forms a majestic rosette. Mature plants can reach up to 6 feet (1.8 meters) in height and 8 feet (2.4 meters) in width. The growth habit is slow and steady, with the plant gradually increasing in both size and grandeur over many years if undisturbed. The leaves are a striking blue-grey color, often described as glaucous, offering a hazy, frosted appearance. They are thick, fleshy, and broad, ranging from 2 to 3 feet (0.6 to 0.9 meters) in length and 1 foot (0.3 meters) wide. Their shape is typically broad and ovate (egg-shaped), narrowing slightly towards the base. The margins are smooth, lacking teeth or spines except for a small, sharp terminal spine at the apex of each leaf, which is usually brownish-red. As the plant ages, the leaves gently curve, adding to their graceful form. Following flowering (which occurs only once in its lifetime after several decades), the parent plant dies, but often produces offsets (pups) at the base before its demise. These offsets are essentially clones of the parent plant. The striking color of the leaves, combined with their unique form and the plant’s eventual flowering stature, truly make this agave a standout specimen. The lack of prominent teeth or spines along the margins makes it a relatively forgiving agave to manage in landscaping; its overall form looks striking and contrasts any other landscaping scheme nicely.

4. Plant Description and Characteristics

Agave ovatifolia ‘Giant’ is a striking, large succulent. It has a mature size is notable – reaching up to 5-6 feet (1.5-1.8 meters) in height and 7-8 feet (2.1-2.4 meters) in width. It has a rosette formation. The characteristic leaves, which give the plant its common name, are broad, thick, and gently curved, resembling a whale’s tongue. The leaves are a stunning blue-gray color, often with a glaucous (waxy) coating that reflects sunlight. Their margins (edges) are typically smooth, though young plants may exhibit small, sharp points that are lost as the plant matures. The leaves are relatively flexible and robust. There are no prominent markings or variegation. As the plant matures, typically after several decades, it produces a massive flower stalk, which can reach up to 15 to 20 feet (4.5 to 6 meters) in height. The stalk is highly branched, producing clusters of yellow flowers. The plant is monocarpic, meaning it dies after flowering, but it usually produces many offsets (pups) before it dies, ensuring continuation. The overall size and striking blue-gray hue of the leaves are the primary distinctive features setting Agave ovatifolia ‘Giant’ apart from many other agave species and cultivars. It has a unique shape and size, allowing it to make a strong statement in a cultivated environment.