Weber Agave

Location

Native Plant & Florida Friendly Garden

Agave weberi

  • ​Common Name: Weber Agave (Other common names: Maguey Liso, Century Plant, Agave, Maguey, Blue Agave)
  • Scientific Name: Agave weberi
  • Family Name: Asparagaceae
  • Origin: Mexico
  • Height: 5’ (4-6’) (6 to 8’ tall at mature flowering size, inflorescence up to 25-30 feet tall.)
  • Width: 5’ (10-12 feet circumference, offsets prolifically so will take up more space with pups.)
  • Growth: Cactus and Succulent that is low maintenance since typically they need little or no irrigation, fertilizer, pruning, or spraying. Furthermore, many agave and yucca withstand drought, heat, strong winds, and cold weather, and. They are tolerant of poor soils and therefore rarely develop nutrient deficiencies.
  • Zone: 8B-11
  • Light Needs: Full Sun to Partial Shade
  • Salt Tolerance:  Relatively tolerant to high levels of salinity.
  • Soil/PH/Texture: 6.1 – 8.5 (mildly acidic – alkaline) Agave are found in native environments that typically are dry, hot, sunny, and windy with low rainfall and poor soil.
  • Soil Moisture: Dry, needs excellent drainage in pots, adapt well to home and commercial landscapes, where they thrive in sometimes harsh conditions associated with urban environments. Much of Florida has sandy, well-drained soils on which agave can thrive despite the rain and humidity.
  • Drought Tolerance: Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping, Will Naturalize
  • Pests/Diseases: Deer Resistant and have few pests and diseases, The most serious pest is agave snout weevil. Most disease problems are various root rots usually associated with wet soils and often exacerbated by cool temperatures and weakened plants.
  • Growing Conditions:  Many agaves withstand drought, heat, strong winds, and cold weather. They are tolerant of poor soils and therefore rarely develop nutrient deficiencies.
  • Characteristics: Foliage: Grown for foliage, Evergreen, Foliage Color: Blue-Green, Can be grown as an annual, Plant has spines or sharp edges; use extreme caution when handling, Leaves have a large sharp terminal spine and when young often have tiny teeth that go away as the plant ages or only extent about halfway up the leaves. Bloom Color: Pale Yellow, in midsummer but have seen them flower from late spring to late summer, Inflorescence Height: 25-30 feet Fruit: Dehiscent in the Summer, Rhizome,
  • Propagation: By dividing rhizomes, tubers, corms, or bulbs (including offsets), Agave also may be propagated by cuttings, but, in this case, leaf cuttings are used.
  • Wildlife: Deer Resistant
  • Facts: The juice from many species of agave can cause acute contact dermatitis. Although agave has extensive food uses, it can contain toxic compounds. Though it sometimes takes years for flowering to occur, agave develops branched spikes of yellow, rose, or white tubular flowers on incredibly tall stems 6–40 ft. above the plant. Historical and Modern Uses – Almost all species of agave and yucca have been used by the native peoples of the Americas for food, fiber, fencing, or soap. The most well-known usage of agave is for the alcoholic beverage, tequila.
  • Designer Considerations: Can grow in a pot but needs excellent drainage. many landscapes use, including groundcover, bedding plants, container plants, shrubs, and, especially, dramatic specimen plants.
© 2024 Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens. All Rights Reserved.