Agave

Family:  Agavaceae
Scientific Name:  Agave Stricta
Category:  Perennials/Cactus and Succulents
Origin:  Mexico
Water:  Drought Resistant
Common Name:  Needle Agave, Hedgehog Agave
Height:  12-18 Inches
Blooms:  Late Spring/Early Summer
Zones:  Best in 9a-11
Foliage:  Evergreen

Agave plants are perennial plants.  Known for their nectar, agave plants are beautiful plants with over 300 varieties (200 recognized).  Most of them are monocarpic (meaning non-flowering), but there are a few that flower (like mine).  They are monocotyledons (they produce one seed leaf)  and are related to succulents and yucca plants.  They have very sharp and rigid leaves that look more like teeth.  The blue agave, harvested in Tequila, Mexico, is used to make tequila from distilled agave nectar.  I have the species called Agave Stricta, which looks like a porcupine.  It has a very round shape with sharp brown terminal spines that will bloom an 8 ft. maroon flower.  It propagates by producing offsettings and with long prostrate stems.

I absolutely love this plant.  It’s deer resistant and has a very contemporary look.  Although I am pushing it a little being in zone 8, it still can do well here in Georgia if taken care of correctly during the winter.  The only thing about these plants is that they do have really sharp spines.  I managed to plant mine without being poked.  When leaves and weeds come in, it is very hard to get them out.  The bright side….they require little watering, they are slow growing and very compact.  The nectar from some of these plants are used as a sugar substitute.  The agave I planted was used in my mailbox project.