Agave bracteosa
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Features a beautiful fountain of spineless leaves, Agave bracteosa can tolerate extremes of both cold and scorching heat. Remains small at about 2′ diameter and grows very slowly. Comes from the Coahuilan Desert where it grows on limestone cliffs between 3,000 and 5,500 feet.
This is a slow growing smaller agave. It is a unique agave with spineless recurving and pliable leaves so it can be planted near paths and pedestrian traffic. This plant needs well draining soil. Keep it dry in winter in the cooler zones of its hardiness range. It resembles a puya or similar bromeliad in many aspects. This species is more adaptable to light and moisture than most agaves. It is semi-monocarpic so the plant does not always die after flowering. Its white flowers are held on striking unbranched candelabra-like 4 to 6 foot flower spikes. Initially solitary but eventually spreading into a large colony by offshoots.
Great in containers, landscape borders, cactus gardens or xeriscape plantings. In a rock garden Agave bracteosa could be combined with small pines and Agave victoriae-reginae to create a setting similar to its native habitat.
Horticultural Data
Description | Horticultural Data | Shipping & Availability | Top
Names and Synonyms: Agave bracteosa S. Wats. ex Engelm
Common Names: Candelabrum Agave, Squid Agave, Spider Agave
Family: Agavaceae
Origin: Mexico – more specifically, the Coahuilan Desert feet between Saltillo and Monterey, growing on limestone cliffs between 3,000 and 5,500 feet in elevation. There they are often found growing with pines and Agave victoriae-reginae.
Mature Size: individual rosette
Height: 12-18″
Width: 12-18″
Cold Tolerance: 10 to 15°F, -12.2 to -8.4°C
Heat Tolerance: Very high
Light Requirement: Part sun inland (to prevent yellowing of leaves) to full sun near the coast
Water needs: Very drought tolerant, but needs some irrigation in hot inland climates
Maintenance: None
Uses: Great in containers, landscape borders, cactus gardens or xeriscape plantings. In a rock garden Agave bracteosa could be combined with small pines and Agave victoriae-reginae to create a setting similar to its native habitat.
Propagation: Replant offshoots. Seeds can be collected after flowering.
Special notes: This is a slow growing smaller agave. It is a unique agave with spineless recurving and pliable leaves so it can be planted near paths and pedestrian traffic. This plant needs well draining soil. Keep it dry in winter in the cooler zones of its hardiness range. It resembles a puya or similar bromeliad in many aspects. This species is more adaptable to light and moisture than most agaves. It is semi-monocarpic so the plant does not always die after flowering. Its white flowers are held on striking unbranched candelabra-like 4 to 6 foot flower spikes. Initially solitary but eventually spreading into a large colony by offshoots.
Research Links:
http://www.smgrowers.com/products/plants/plantdisplay.asp?plant_id=2037
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/60567/
http://plantlust.com/plants/agave-bracteosa/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agave_bracteosa
http://www.ruthbancroftgarden.org/rbgarden/pages/PlantHighl2009July.html
Shipping & Availability
Description | Horticultural Data | Shipping & Availability | Top
There is a minimum purchase of any 4 plants for online orders. All plants shipped bare root. Other sizes may be available for pick up from our growing grounds in Fallbrook, CA. For more information, give us a call at 760-990-4762.
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