Agave Encyclopedia

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.

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

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.

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.

Wild population considered the base species of Titanota. Wild power from harsh Mexican habitat. Recently reclassified.

An agave from the Parras region of Coahuila, Mexico. Forms a near-spherical beautiful rosette with serrated leaf margins. Popular with collectors; relatively slow growing.

A garden-selected cultivar of Agave parrasana with exceptionally spherical rosette formation. Rounder than standard Parrasana; its near-perfect globe form is highly valued by collectors.

A beautiful agave from Sonora, Mexico. Attractive contrast between smooth green leaves and black spines.

Also known as Kisshoukan in Japanese. Beautiful contrast of rounded leaves and red spines. Compact and suited for pots.

An agave from southern California to Baja California. Native to coastal rocky areas with notable salt tolerance. Broad green leaves with reddish spines make it highly ornamental.

Native to Baja California. Numerous subspecies offer rich variation in leaf color and form — from blue-white to gray and green. Extremely drought tolerant.

The species that started the agave boom. Thick leaves with white teeth vary by origin: 'White Whale', 'Hime Ganryu', 'FO-076'.

One of the most iconic Titanota locality forms. Numbered by Felipe Otero. Dense white teeth and compact form make it highly popular. Selected specimens command premium prices.