Agave Species, Foxtail Agave, Dragon-Tree, Spineless Agave, Century Plant, Maguey
Agave attenuata
Family: | Asparagaceae |
Genus: | Agave (a-GAH-vee) (Info) |
Species: | attenuata (at-ten-yoo-AY-tuh) (Info) |

Category:
Tropicals and Tender Perennials
Cactus and Succulents
Water Requirements:
Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Sun Exposure:
Full Sun
Sun to Partial Shade
Light Shade
Foliage:
Grown for foliage
Herbaceous
Foliage Color:
Height:
4-6 ft. (1.2-1.8 m)
Spacing:
36-48 in. (90-120 cm)
Hardiness:
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)
Where to Grow:
Danger:
N/A
Bloom Color:
Green
Bloom Characteristics:
Bloom Size:
Bloom Time:
Mid Summer
N/A
Other details:
Soil pH requirements:
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
Patent Information:
Non-patented
Propagation Methods:
By dividing rhizomes, tubers, corms or bulbs (including offsets)
From seed; germinate in vitro in gelatin, agar or other medium
This plant is monocarpic
Seed Collecting:
Allow pods to dry on plant; break open to collect seeds
Allow seedheads to dry on plants; remove and collect seeds
Properly cleaned, seed can be successfully stored
Regional
This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:
Chandler Heights, Arizona
Phoenix, Arizona
Canoga Park, California
Casa de Oro-Mount Helix, California
Castro Valley, California
Channel Islands Beach, California
Chula Vista, California
Encino, California
Fontana, California
Fullerton, California
Goleta, California
Greenbrae, California
Hayward, California
Livermore, California
Los Angeles, California(2 reports)
Norwalk, California
Reseda, California
San Diego, California(2 reports)
San Dimas, California
San Jose, California
San Leandro, California
San Mateo, California
Santa Barbara, California
Sherman Oaks, California
Soquel, California
Spring Valley, California
Winters, California
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Hollywood, Florida
Lakeland, Florida(2 reports)
Miami, Florida
North Port, Florida
Palm Bay, Florida
Pompano Beach, Florida
Kailua, Hawaii
Kaneohe Station, Hawaii
Kurtistown, Hawaii
Maunawili, Hawaii
Caguas, Puerto Rico
Houston, Texas
Killeen, Texas
Red Oak, Texas
show allGardeners' Notes:
Rating | Content |
---|---|
Neutral | On Feb 28, 2020, stephenp from Wirral, UK, Zone 9a, A few years ago, I had the good fortune to be able to go to Malaga in Spain, normally I wouldn't be able to afford it, so it was quite a boon really to find somewhere with a different atmosphere than old blighty. |
Positive | On Mar 31, 2018, DMichael from Fort Lauderdale, FL wrote: Agave attenuata is one of only a dozen or so Agave sp. that will perform well in Ft Lauderdale, FL’s subtropical / tropical 10b climate, and is one of the most attractive Agave species which can be grown here. |
Positive | On May 3, 2017, shnbwmn from Cape Town, Lovely plant, very forgiving. Very much like Yucca in that you can pull/cut it out the ground and leave it laying somewhere for weeks before replanting elsewhere. I've found that it grows best in light shade with regular watering. Looks good in mass grouping. |
Neutral | On Jan 29, 2017, MrKelly from Redding, CA (Zone 9b) wrote: Loved the look of the plant and it did great in the summer. I knew our winters would be close to its cold limit. 28 degrees F. killed it. If you get any frost don't get it unless it can be protected. |
Positive | On Jan 14, 2017, AFinSD from San Diego, CA wrote: Have seen this plant in various places in San Diego. My spouse and I are particularly fond of the variegated type. |
Neutral | On Sep 19, 2015, StuKin from Stamford, CT wrote: I grow this plant as a tender, indoor, ornamental plant and never expose it to frost. I love the "architectural" look of the spiral of silver/green leaves. When the plant gets too big and top-heavy, I just cut off the top and make a new plant. The leaves break easily, but the lack of spines makes it easy to handle. Side shoots can either be left on the mother plant or removed to make more plants. Turn the plant frequently to encourage it to grow straight, and keep it in the heaviest container to prevent it from toppling over and breaking its leaves. A well grown specimen will be a sure attention grabber. |
Negative | On Feb 26, 2012, 19pidder52 from Las Vegas, NV wrote: This plant does incredibly well in San Diego....recently I moved to Las Vegas and brought 5 huge containers of the plant with me. The winter cold has nearly destroyed them, however they did well and grew like crazy in October and early November...........does anyone know if I have to throw them out or if they will survive next winter if I cover them with burlap? Anyone with a similar experience please contact [email protected] with advice. The plants are worth 5 to 6 hundred dollars, beautiful and I love them. Any feedback is so appreciated. The nurseries here all give me a different answer. Sad in Vegas |
Positive | On Apr 30, 2008, zone10 from San Diego, CA (Zone 10b) wrote: Grows very well in San Diego (zone 10) but does not take direct sun during the hottest weather. I have lots of these in my garden, generally they are growing in the shade of trees, getting direct sun only part of the day. In my opinion, these agave's look much nicer when allowed to grow in clumps. I must have 50 plants in a cluster growing under a palm tree. Beautiful background to annual or perennial color! |
Positive | On Jan 12, 2008, htop from San Antonio, TX (Zone 8b) wrote: I have not grown this plant; however, I have observed it growing in Maui, Hawaii. It grows as a native plant in the mountains of central Mexico. Reportedly, it is rare in its native habitat. It will grow in full sun and poor soils; however, optimum growth is acquired when it has morning sun and afternoon shade or dappled shade with good soil and regular water. |
Positive | On Nov 27, 2005, koolkatken from Auckland, Grown a lot of these in Auckland NZ. They can really grow fast like a weed. Have to keep up by taking off some of the pups or it would really get carried away. Also find that if planted too close to edges, the lawn mower will easily break off parts, but they do grow quickly. |
Positive | On Sep 22, 2005, BayAreaTropics from Hayward, CA wrote: Hardier and faster growing than Sunset magazine would lead you to believe.It's a leaner that needs a bit of room. I have seen specimen clumps around the Bay Area. How many other agaves can do well alongside ferns? |
Positive | On Jul 2, 2004, punaheledp from Kailua, HI (Zone 11) wrote: Had wondered what this was. Came with the house 16 yrs ago. Thought it was century plant. Mother plant is long gone, but she left many babies that have gone on to leave keiki of their own. Mine's growing among lava rocks which helps hide the ranginess of trunk . Flowers right before plant dies. Flower stalks have grown at least 8'-10' long with small white flowers all around it, bees love it. Baby plants grow all along trunk after plant blooms. |
Positive | On Jul 14, 2003, palmbob from Acton, CA (Zone 8b) wrote: This is one of the few 'soft and user friendly' agaves. It is grown extensively all over California and is very popular because of its soft, powdery texture, lack of vicious spines and showy blossoms. Some plants become enormous before blooming developing trunks up to 10' long (usually the plant collapses before this and the trunk crawls along the ground), especially if given plenty of water. This is an especially tough Agave to overwater, sometimes performing well in standing water and muddy gardens in So Cal. It is, however, one of the least cold hardy of the Agaves and very cold nights will often damage the foliage (under 26F). This plant also is available in a showy variegated form, as well as a form called A attenuata 'Nova' in which the flowers grow straight up instead of archin... read more |
Positive | On Mar 2, 2003, henkmaters wrote: A monumental plant that is however monocarpic! It only blooms after 10-12 Years. |