Agave Encyclopedia

A large hybrid with thick, triangular, dark grey-green leaves of a rough, shark-skin texture, neatly arranged. The margins are smooth and toothless, leaving only a stout tip spine. Thought to be a natural hybrid found in Mexico.

A small variegated agave whose blue leaves are each framed by a wide cream border. It stays about 25 cm tall and in Japan it is sometimes sold as the same plant as the long-established 'Meriko Nishiki'.

An agave from Chiapas, Mexico. Native to tropical to subtropical highlands, more adapted to humid conditions than most agaves. Broad, thick leaves. Prefers relatively warm environments.

Native to Guerrero, Mexico. Used in mezcal production. Wide leaves with copper-colored teeth give a wild appearance. Grows large at maturity.

An elegant mid-sized agave whose leaves rise and then arc outward, striped grey-green and cream in the centre with a dark green margin on the lower half and sparse small reddish-brown teeth.

Medium-sized agave from southern Mexico. Dark green leaves contrast beautifully with reddish-brown teeth. Forms compact rosettes ideal for container culture.

A rare agave from Guadalajara, Mexico. Popular for broad blue-gray leaves and compact form.

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.

A subspecies of Agave horrida with a dense rosette of dark green leaves armed with large brown teeth; the leaf margins turn grey-white with age, and the rosette is tighter than the species.

A selection of Agave isthmensis with broad, thick leaves like a horseshoe crab's shell and adjacent teeth fused into continuous bands. Unvariegated silver-green leaves give a small but weighty look.

A small variegated isthmensis: short, thick blue-green leaves edged in cream, with reddish-brown teeth running along the margins. Palm-sized, with leaves shaped like a horseshoe crab's shell.

A variegated isthmensis with radiating stripes in white, cream, yellow or lime, sometimes several colours on one leaf. Its leaves are thinner and slimmer than usual for the species, with modest teeth.

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.

A large agave from central Mexico with many long, narrow leaves forming a majestic rosette. Traditionally used to produce pulque (fermented beverage).

Unique agave with marble-like patterns on leaves. Native to Oaxaca, Mexico. Wide leaves form a rosette, and individual variation in patterns adds collectibility.

Native to northwestern Mexico. True to its name, produces numerous filaments from leaf margins. More filaments than Filifera or Schidigera, creating a showy appearance.

An agave from Sonora with characteristic dark green to near-black coloring. True to its name meaning 'black agave', its deeper, shadowy leaf color attracts collectors.