Agave bracteosa

A succulent species with clumping rosettes, 45–60 cm tall.

Agave bracteosa, also known as "spider agave" or "squid agave," produces clumping rosettes. Small among the agaves, its succulent green leaves are arched and lanceolate, 50–70 cm long and 3–5 cm wide at the base. It forms clumps up to 1.2 m wide. The individual rosettes have a graceful urn shape, formed by numerous erect leaves, finely serrated on the margins, which grow upward and curve outward and downward. The inflorescence is short, unbranched, erect, 1.2–1.8 m tall, and is so densely covered with creamy yellow flowers that it resembles a bottle brush.

This species originates from the mountains of the Chihuahuan Desert in the Sierra Madre Oriental and northern Mexico, in the states of Tamaulipas, Coahuila, and Nuevo Leon. In nature, spectacular spider-like clusters of Agave bracteosa grow covering steep vertical limestone walls and rocky slopes. The plants grow in small crevices in the solid limestone rock, primarily on north- and northeast-facing slopes between 900 and 1,700 meters above sea level. Despite its natural habitat, this species can be subject to cool, foggy days.

It requires a very well-drained soil and a semi-shaded location. Water once every 7-20 days during the growing season, but keep dry in winter.

A somewhat hardy species: it can tolerate temperatures as low as -8°C if well-drained.

Bare-root plant.