AGAVE

The agave genus has some 200 species of the family Asparagaceae and is native to arid and semiarid regions of the Americas, primarily Mexico and the Caribbean. Agave are economically important as well, especially for the production of mescal liquors including Tequilla. Some species, including the blue agave are the main sources of sweet agave nectar. Many species are grown as ornamentals for a beautiful southwest desert landscape.

The Agave Family - beautiful tropical plants for indoors and outdoors

Depending on the species Agaves have a rosette of succulent, leathery leaves that range from a few inches to more than eight feet. Most have sharp spines along the edges and the tip of the leaf. The leaves range from pale green to bluish-grey and are often variegated or striped.

It's like having your own tropical plant nursery...

Some species reproduce and generate clones at or near the base of the main stem. Agaves are typically monocarpic in that each adult rosette plant dies after flowering. When they flower, the yellow, green, or red flowers form a branch of inflorescences of up to 30 feet tall and can produce a significant amount of nectar. Most agave have a life span of less than 30 years.