agave varieties

12 Varieties and Types of Agave Plants

Agave americana – a large flower with a rosette of green-blue serrated leaves. ...
Agave americana 'Yellow Ribbons' – variegated variety of American agave. ...
Agave americana 'Mediopicta Alba' – A compact variety of American agave. ...
Queen Victoria Agave – compact succulent, often found in indoor culture.

What are the different types of agave?

Commonly grown species. Some commonly grown species include Agave americana, Agave angustifolia, Agave tequilana, Agave attenuata, Agave parviflora, Agave murpheyi, Agave vilmoriniana, Agave palmeri, Agave parryi, and Agave victoriae-reginae.

How do I identify agave?

Look for thick, stiff symmetrical leaves ranging in color from blue-gray to gray or blue to dark-blue with spiny margins that taper to a sharp point. The dark-red or black spines growing from the leaf margins are about 1/3-inch long and those growing from the tips grow to around 1/2-inch long.

What is the smallest agave?

potatorum. Also known as Verschaffelt agave, this plant hails from the partial-desert areas in Mexico between Puebla and Oaxaca. Only 2 feet in diameter, this beauty is petite enough for any garden. Broad, blue-gray leaves with reddish spine tips offer a striking contrast to smaller agaves and red Echeveria varieties.

What is the largest agave?

Agave atrovirens, called maguey verde grande is a type of century plant native to Oaxaca, Pueblo and Veracruz states in Mexico. It is the largest of all the Agaves, occasionally reaching a weight of two long tons (2 metric tonnes).
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Agave atrovirens
Subfamily:	Agavoideae
Genus:	Agave
Species:	A. atrovirens
Binomial name

Is agave poisonous to dogs?

Agave (Agave spp.), which grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9 to 11, is mildly toxic to dogs and humans when ingested.

Where does agave grow best?

Agaves grow best in the Southwest and Mediterranean climates, but are adaptable and can also be grown out of their zones in pots if given winter protection.

Why agave is bad for you?

Your body is well equipped to handle the small amounts of fructose found in fruit. Because agave syrup is much higher in fructose than plain sugar, it has greater potential to cause adverse health effects, such as increased belly fat and fatty liver disease.

How many types of agave are there?

As of May 2019, the World Checklist of Selected Plant Families and Plants of the World Online recognize about 270 species of Agave plus a number of natural hybrids. This includes species formerly placed in Manfreda and Polianthes. Other sources may use different circumscriptions.

Which Agave is used for tequila?

The juice of the blue agave, cultivated primarily in the state of Jalisco, is used to make tequila; other agave species are used to make mezcal, bacanora, sotol, and pulque. There are more than 300 agave species. An agave plant takes eight to 12 years to mature.

How big do agave plants get?

Agave plants (Agave spp.) generally are succulents with large leaves that end in spiny tips. There's a lot of variety in the agave genus. There are the large, stiff specimens that can grow to 10 feet or more in height and width.

How long does it take blue agave to grow?

Agave is the plant from which tequila is made. Growing agave for tequila takes around 7 years for the plant to reach maturity for harvest.

Are agave slow growing?

It is a very slow growing species and performs excellently as a potted plant, rarely outgrowing the pot, though it does tend to eventually sucker. It can grow up to three feet in diameter and eighteen inches tall, but tends to stay smaller in a pot.

What is the benefits of agave?

Agave has fructans and saponins which improve have an anti-inflammatory function in a body. It also gives a boost to the immune system. It contains inulin which is responsible to decrease your appetite, can improve nutrient absorption, and can provide the benefit of added dietary fiber.

How old is my agave?

Agaves are monocarpic, meaning they die after flowering. Agave americana, the most common agave in the Southwest, has the common name “century plant” because it supposedly takes a century to bloom. Actually, it's 15 to 20 years…sooner, if you pamper it with rich soil and ample water.

Do agave plants bloom?

A: The century plant, Agave americana, is monocarpic, meaning it will bloom once in its lifetime. That bloom may not appear for 10, 20 or more years, depending on the climate. Many species in the genus Agave flower just once, although there are a few that are repeat bloomers.

Can I give my dog agave syrup?

Is honey or agave better? ... Also, agave nectar is thought by some health professionals to not be the great wonder sweetener that some make it out to be. That's really out of my area of expertise as a veterinarian, but in small amounts you are not likely to do any harm to your dog.

Are agave spikes poisonous?

Agave plants add beauty to landscaping, but they also pose a risk to people and pets with their sharp spines and mildly toxic sap, which can cause a range of symptoms, from swelling to blisters.

How often do you water agave?

Agaves require little attention to thrive. Water the plant every 4-5 days for the first month or two. After established, agaves need only be watered 2-3 times a month in summer, or more if you're in a low desert location.

Can agave grow in pots?

Agaves grown in pots need a soil that will dry out slowly but offer good drainage. Use a combination of equal parts compost; good potting mix or garden soil; and either gravel, pumice, or sharp sand. Do not use peat moss; its acidity and its water-holding properties are not desirable for growing agaves.

Can you cut agave and replant?

Agaves and other plants that produce clone offshoots or “pups” are very easy and rewarding to divide and transplant. You can make your gardening budget go farther with a little effort and patience by including them in your garden design, or if you've run out of room, they can even make great gifts!

Is Blue Agave better than honey?

Honey is the clear winner. But both honey and agave nectar are caloric sweeteners and offer little added nutritional value. Honey is better than agave nectar because it is: higher in antioxidants.