PlantFiles: Squid Agave
Agave bracteosa

I have not grown this plant which is also known as the "octopus agave" and is native to Nuevo Leon, Mexico.
It is hardy from Zone 7b to 10. Being spineless and toothless, it is an exellent choice for growing in a container. Forming colonies by producing offsets in its native habitat, the 24 inch wide rosettes of bright-green leaves resemble a group of octopi laying amongst the rocks and boulders and hanging from cliffs. The 3 foot tall bloom spikes have numerous cream to yellow colored flowers. Being quite adaptable, it can thrive in sun or deep shade and is more moisture tolerant than most agave; but, the soil must be well drained.

This is one of my favorite Agaves, being very attractive AND user-friendly. It looks a lot like an Aloe. But it is monocarpic, so once it flowers, that's it. There has been some controversy to whether this species is ALWAYs monocarpic, and I can't answer that... but in most of the colonies I have seen the plants with mature flowers always seem to be dying, and I have seen many dead with old flowers on them, so it appears to be at least 'mostly' monocarpic... if there is such a thing. There is another Agave known as the Octopus agave, showing the shortcomings of using common names in plants. This is a slow growing plant, very slowly offsetting and forming a large colony of plants. Variegated forms occur (but listed elsewhere in plant files).