Agave Encyclopedia
Encyclopedia of popular agave varieties with traits, care guides, and pricing.
Featured Agave
Showing 80 of 80 species(1–24)
© Michael Wolf ( Webseite ) / CC BY-SA 3.0Agave Albopilosa
Agave albopilosa
A rare agave with white cotton-like fibers at leaf tips. A relatively new species described in 2007.
© Alvesgaspar / CC BY-SA 3.0Agave Americana
Agave americana
Most widely known agave. Grows huge, often seen in parks and gardens. Also called Century Plant. Variegated forms popular.
Agave Angustifolia
Agave angustifolia
Widely distributed from Mexico to Central America. Narrow leaves with many variegated cultivars available. Believed to be ancestral to Agave tequilana. Hardy and fast-growing.
© Juan Carlos Fonseca Mata / CC BY-SA 4.0Agave Applanata
Agave applanata
A beautiful agave with blue-white wide leaves spreading flat. Cream Spike cultivar is famous.
© Dr. Thomas Liptak / CC BY-SA 4.0Agave Attenuata
Agave attenuata
Thornless agave with soft gracefully spreading leaves. Safe and easy for beginners. Frost-sensitive — bring indoors in winter.
Agave Celsii
Agave celsii
A relatively compact agave with soft leaves. Thin blue-green leaves create elegant atmosphere.
Agave Chiapensis
Agave chiapensis
An agave from Chiapas, Mexico. Native to tropical to subtropical highlands, more adapted to humid conditions than most agaves. Broad, somewhat softer leaves. Prefers relatively warm environments.
Agave Chrysantha
Agave chrysantha
Native to Arizona. Named 'golden flower' for its yellow blooms. Bright green leaves with small teeth. Cold-hardy and easy to grow.
© Cody Hough / CC BY-SA 3.0Agave Colorata
Agave colorata
Beautiful contrast of blue-grey leaves and reddish-brown spines. From Sonora, Mexico. Compact for pot cultivation.
Agave Colorata Variegated
Agave colorata f. variegata
Variegated mutation of Colorata. Blue-white leaves with yellow variegation create stunning contrast. Slightly less cold-hardy than normal form. Highly prized by collectors.
Agave Cupreata
Agave cupreata
Native to Guerrero, Mexico. Used in mezcal production. Wide leaves with copper-colored teeth give a wild appearance. Grows large at maturity.
© Stan Shebs / CC BY-SA 3.0Agave Desmettiana
Agave desmettiana
A beautiful agave with soft elegantly curving leaves. Known by Japanese name 'Taki no Shiraito'.
© M.S. del, J.N.Fitch , lith. / Public domainAgave Difformis
Agave difformis
A small spineless agave. Dense rosette type producing many offsets for clustering. Safe to manage.
© C T Johansson / CC BY-SA 3.0Agave Franzosinii
Agave franzosini
One of the largest agaves. Magnificent sight with huge blue-white leaves spreading in fan shape.
Agave Funkiana
Agave funkiana
A medium agave from Coahuila to Nuevo León, Mexico. Forms an elegant rosette of long, narrow green leaves. Rich in fibers traditionally used for brushes and other products.
Agave Gentryi
Agave gentryi
An agave from the Sierra Madre of Mexico. Forms wide green rosettes with finely serrated leaf margins. Relatively large species; monocarpic, dying after flowering.
Agave Ghiesbreghtii
Agave ghiesbreghtii
Medium-sized agave from southern Mexico. Dark green leaves contrast beautifully with reddish-brown teeth. Forms compact rosettes ideal for container culture.
Agave Gracilipes
Agave gracilipes
Medium agave from Texas to New Mexico. Characterized by slim, elegant leaves. Related to Palmeri but more slender. Very cold-hardy, suited for ground planting.
© Tangopaso / Public domainAgave Guadalajarana
Agave guadalajarana
A rare agave from Guadalajara, Mexico. Popular for broad blue-gray leaves and compact form.
© Hectonichus / CC BY-SA 3.0Agave Guiengola
Agave guiengola
A beautiful medium agave with cream-colored edges. Rare species from limestone areas of Oaxaca.
Agave Horrida
Agave horrida
Native to Mexico. Dark green fleshy leaves lined with sharp black teeth give a wild appearance. More cold-hardy than Titanota and adapts well to Japan's climate. Somewhat slow-growing.
© Dryas / CC BY-SA 3.0Agave Isthmensis
Agave isthmensis
A small agave from Oaxaca, Mexico. Attractive for its compact rosette and thick leaves.
Agave Karwinskii
Agave karwinskii
An agave from Oaxaca, Mexico. Unique tree-like growth habit with rosettes forming on woody stems. Also known as 'Palo de Mezcal' and used in mezcal production.
Agave Kissho Kan
Agave potatorum
A popular agave long cultivated in Japan. Hardy, easy for beginners, and easily available.
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Agave FAQ
- How much do agave cost?
- Small Titanota seedlings cost 2,000-10,000 yen, medium plants 10,000-50,000 yen, and select or rare varieties like Hakugei and Caesar can exceed 100,000 yen. Prices vary greatly by variety and condition.
- Can beginners grow agave?
- Agaves are drought-tolerant and hardy, making them easy for beginners. Place in a sunny spot with well-draining soil, and they're quite hard to fail with.
- What are the key points for growing agave?
- Sunlight, airflow, and drainage are the three essentials. Provide direct sunlight, use pumice or akadama-based soil, and water only when the pot is completely dry.
- What should I check when buying agave?
- Check whether it's rooted, leaves are developing healthily, and lower leaves aren't excessively dried. Imported bare-root plants require root establishment, so beginners should start with rooted domestically grown seedlings.
- How long do agave live?
- Agaves grow over decades and bloom only once in their lifetime before dying. However, they produce offsets, so with proper care you can enjoy them across generations.