Succulent Plant Identification | Succulent Sphere | Containers for Succulents
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Agave
The Textural and Architectural Century Plant
Called the Century Plant for a good reason, Agave live for many years in dry and inhospitable conditions. Desert plants from the southern United States and Mexico, they are slow growing, and some species never get very big, staying at a very tidy softball sized clump for most of their lives.
In some areas, the clumps are the size of a small car, comprised of many rosettes of spined leaves, warning the unwary to stay away.
One unique characteristic of Agave is the single spine at the end of every leaf.
Although they may resemble Aloe in some cases, this single thorn is there to remind you that they are not to be messed with.
For this reason, it's best to plant these away from trafficked areas, and out of reach of children, who are right at the level to get these in their face.
Some growers cut these off, to make it easier for workers when handling them.
Many Agave also show 'watermarks' - a distinctive pattern caused by the pressure of each row of leaves on the outer surface of the inner row of leaves.
The juice from the leaves is used commercially to make pulque, or tequila. It is also poisonous until it's received the right treatment in the manufacture of this potent beverage.
To grow these indoors as houseplants, it's best to select those that stay small, and even then, their lifespan is only about ten years before they'll outgrow their space.
Luckily, they produce pups at their base, so it's usually possible to keep named varieties or specialty variegated ones going indefinitely.
In a landscape, they will grow very slowly for ten to fifty years, and then suddenly put out a flower stalk, which can tower overhead at over 3 meters (15') tall.
This is not a plant for a well behaved and domesticated landscape, rather a rough and rugged themed desert garden.
The pages below have been left by other visitors...
See more about Agave...
Possible Agave?
I just purchased an unidentified succulent, and would like to know what it is, to best care for it.
I think it might be a variety of agave, but please …
Very cool succulent that grows to over 23 feet
Cactus looking plant that grows to over 23 feet and blooms at the top. Very cool plant that has me thinking. Please help with an answer.Thanks
Drought …
Found...
When I moved in, this was in the backyard. It recently sent up a very tall stalk.
Drought Smart Plants reply: Wow, what a surprise! I would say, …
Exotic spiny plant
This plant is large the "leaves" are longer than a foot and tubular and stiff with a spine at the end. I haven't seen it bloom. The liquid inside the …
I'm sure I have an Agave Parryi var. Truncata.
I bought this plant in a pot at a sand and gravel place. It has managed to grow from one plant to over a dozen in a small flowerbed.
I thought it would …
Need help identifying this plant
Has very sharp pointed ends.
Drought Smart Plants reply:
Hi Roxanne, it looks like what you have based on the description of the sharp pointed …
Laguna Beach Succulent
Aloe type leaves, yellow-green, short, with a
dome of buds or flowers in red and yellow.
Drought Smart Plants reply:
This is an Agave of some …
Giant succulent with 8' tall shoot that is branching out at the top
Like a THICK LEAFED Aloe - non-varigated. About 2 foot + tall with 8 foot (or taller) shoot that is branching out like "Whoville" - Growing in middle Georgia, …
Very very tall grew in days
Tall central shoot
What a surprising sight! The last thing you would expect is something this bizarre, but just wait; it's going to get even better! …
a huge cactus that has a spike coming out of it.
Our cactus or succulent was planted fifteen years ago and has grown to be a massive plant in our back yard. Just recently it started to grow a spike out …
looks like a type of agave, not sure
5 inch upright leaves, spiny edges
Drought Smart Plants reply:
Hi David, the dead giveaway trait for Agave is the lethal spike from the end of each …
Full Sun Succulent
It was in full sun near the headquarter building at Mustang Island State Park
The low-growing plant is similar to a yucca but it's long, thin leaves …
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Watermarks;
What on earth are they? Watermarks are formed on each successive leaf as it opens.
The previous leaf shape can be seen almost as if it were embossed and impressed into the surface.
This is one of the most typical traits of Agave, along with their wicked spines.
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