Agave Encyclopedia
Encyclopedia of popular agave varieties with traits, care guides, and pricing.
Featured Agave
Showing 10 of 80 species
Agave Celsii
Agave celsii
A relatively compact agave with soft leaves. Thin blue-green leaves create elegant atmosphere.
© 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 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.
© Dryas / CC BY-SA 3.0Agave Isthmensis
Agave isthmensis
A small agave from Oaxaca, Mexico. Attractive for its compact rosette and thick leaves.
© Diego Delso / CC BY-SA 3.0Agave Parryi
Agave parryi
Compact rosette with densely layered blue-grey leaves. Extremely cold-hardy, suitable for year-round outdoor planting.
© Arpingstone / Public domainAgave Potatorum
Agave potatorum
Also known as Kisshoukan in Japanese. Beautiful contrast of rounded leaves and red spines. Compact and suited for pots.
Agave Truncata
Agave truncata
A Mexican agave with distinctively compact rosette of short, thick leaves. Dense, wide leaves create an impressive sculptural form. Drought tolerant and beginner-friendly.
© Brian Gratwicke / CC BY 2.0Agave Victoriae-Reginae
Agave victoriae-reginae
A beautiful compact agave with white markings, slow-growing but artistically perfect.
Agave Warelliana
Agave warelliana
Small to medium agave from Mexico. Blue-green leaves with delicate teeth. Less commonly available but compact and ideal for container culture. Hidden gem for collectors.
© Stan Shebs / CC BY-SA 3.0Large-Thorned Agave
Agave macroacantha
A sharp agave with blue-gray leaves and long black terminal spines. Compact, ideal for balcony growing.
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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.