Agave Encyclopedia
Encyclopedia of popular agave varieties with traits, care guides, and pricing.
Featured Agave
Showing 9 of 80 species
© 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.
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.
© 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 Nickelsiae (King Ferdinand)
Agave nickelsiae
Related to Victoria-reginae but smaller and more compact. Also called 'King Ferdinand.' Beautiful white paint-like leaf markings. Endangered endemic to Mexico.
Agave Nigra
Agave nigra
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.
Agave Sebastiana
Agave sebastiana
Rare species from Cedros Island, Baja California. Broad gray-blue leaves with striking reddish-brown margins. Slow-growing collector's species.
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.
Agave Zebra
Agave zebra
An agave from the Sonoran Desert named for zebra-like horizontal banding on its leaves. Serrated leaf margins and distinctive striping add to its ornamental value. A rare species sought by collectors.
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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.