Agave stricta – The Succulent Hedgehog Agave.

• Names and Synonyms:  
  Agave stricta, The 'Dwarf Hedgehog Agave' or 'Sea Urchin Agave'
• Common Names:  
  The 'Dwarf Hedgehog Agave' or 'Sea Urchin Agave'
• Family:  
  Agavaceae
• Origin:  
  Native to Southern Mexico
• Height:  
  6-12"
• Width:  
  6-12"
• Cold Tolerance:  
  20-25° F
• Heat Tolerance:  
  High heat tolerance
• Light Requirement:  
  Full sun to part shade
• Water needs:  
  Needs moderate amount, especially in the heat of summer
• Maintenance:  
  Removing clumping rhizomes around base and removing flower stalks/flower buds
• Uses:  
  Agave stricta is perfect for xeriscapes in the landscape as well as making an attractive potted plant. Flower blooms are edible and cooked in specific dishes.
• Propagation:  
  This plant offsets rhizomes often and can be removed carefully.
• Special notes:  
  The Agave stricta grows to a symmetrical 6-12 inches in size (length and width) with no teeth on margins however it does have sharp spine tips. The name stricta is based on the Latin word strict meaning tight or drawn together. Native to Southern Mexico, this hardy succulent often grows on cliffs and in the high desert. Often confused with Agave striata which is a slightly larger specimen with a blue green color in comparison to the Agave stricta which is more yellow green. The two specimens look most like each other in initial growth however the Agave stricta has thinner, straighter leaves and is more heat tolerant. It is a deer and heat tolerant plant.The Agave stricta offsets new rhizomes often and creates attractive clumping colonies. If stressed, this Agave's basal leaves as well as the tips may turn a deep red color that contrasts well on any landscape. The base of the Agave Creates hundreds of tight leaves to further fill in the round shape of this beautiful succulent. a 5-8 ft inflorence may bloom in summer and has dark purple to dark red flowers which lasts until late fall. The flower buds are edible and they are known to be cooked in certain dishes around their native setting. it has a highly sculptural form, it is great in the ground or in a container.
• Research Links:
  
  http://www.smgrowers.com/products/plants/plantdisplay.asp?plant_id=84
• Starr, G. (2012). Agaves. Portland, OR: Timber Press.

Additional information