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Agave colorata (Mescal Ceniza)

Mescal Ceniza, Coastal Agave

Agave colorata, Mescal Ceniza, Coastal Agave, Blue agave, Gray Agave, Drought tolerant plant, Cold hardy agave, Hardy agave
Agave colorata, Mescal Ceniza, Coastal Agave, Blue agave, Gray Agave, Drought tolerant plant, Cold hardy agave, Hardy agave
Agave colorata, Mescal Ceniza, Coastal Agave, Blue agave, Gray Agave, Drought tolerant plant, Cold hardy agave, Hardy agave
Agave colorata, Mescal Ceniza, Coastal Agave, Blue agave, Gray Agave, Drought tolerant plant, Cold hardy agave, Hardy agave

Slow-growing, Agave colorata (Mescal Ceniza) is an evergreen, perennial succulent forming a rosette of fleshy, nearly spoon-shaped, powdery blue leaves with particularly fascinating crossbanding. Rough textured, the leaves are deeply scalloped, lined with formidable, dark brown teeth along their margins, and tipped with a stout terminal spine. Mature plants (over 15 years) flower only once. They are topped with a magnificent flowering spike in spring that can reach 10 ft. (3m) and bears clusters of deep red buds opening to yellow and orange flowers. The flowering rosette dies after flowering. While this Agave is usually solitary, it may produce offsets or pups around its base.

  • Grows up to 1-3 ft. tall (30-90 cm) and 2-4 ft. wide (60-120 cm). May reach 10 ft. (3 m) with flower stalk.
  • Easily grown in well-drained soils in full sun. Drought tolerant once established. Little to no supplemental irrigation is required, except during the hottest part of summer when additional water would be welcomed. Cut back on the watering frequency in fall and keep the soil dry in winter.
  • Great for coastal gardens, city gardens, rock gardens, succulent gardens, or Mediterranean gardens. Ideal as an accent plant in sunny borders or decorative containers.
  • Plant away from foot traffic: The needle-sharp spines on the leaf tips can be a hazard to humans and pets. Don’t plant this Agave near paths or walkways.
  • Attracts hummingbirds and birds but is deer resistant
  • Virtually disease-free. Watch for scale insects.
  • Use caution, safety glasses, long sleeves, long pants, well-covered shoes, and gloves when cutting this plant.
  • Native to coastal northwestern Sonora, Mexico

Agave: Plant Care and Growing Guide


Agave plants are popular for landscaping because they are rich in many qualities and have a striking architectural appearance. Here are some tips on how to plant and grow agaves successfully

Requirements

Hardiness 8 - 11
Heat Zones 5 - 12
Climate Zones 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Cactus & Succulents
Plant Family Asparagaceae
Genus Agave
Common names Agave
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 1' - 3'
(30cm - 90cm)
Spread 2' - 4'
(60cm - 120cm)
Spacing 48" (120cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil
Attracts Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Patio And Containers
Garden Styles Gravel and Rock Garden, Coastal Garden, City and Courtyard, Mediterranean Garden
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Agave tequilana (Blue Agave)
Agave angustifolia var. marginata (Caribbean Agave)
Agave xylonacantha (Saw Leaf Agave)
Agave x leopoldii (Leopold Agave)
Agave vilmoriniana ‘Stained Glass’ (Octopus Agave)
Agave macroacantha (Black-Spined Agave)

Recommended Companion Plants

Senecio mandraliscae (Blue Chalksticks)
Sedum nussbaumerianum (Stonecrop)
Eschscholzia californica (California Poppy)
Festuca glauca ‘Elijah Blue’ (Blue Fescue)

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Agave: Plant Care and Growing Guide
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 8 - 11
Heat Zones 5 - 12
Climate Zones 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Cactus & Succulents
Plant Family Asparagaceae
Genus Agave
Common names Agave
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 1' - 3'
(30cm - 90cm)
Spread 2' - 4'
(60cm - 120cm)
Spacing 48" (120cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil
Attracts Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Patio And Containers
Garden Styles Gravel and Rock Garden, Coastal Garden, City and Courtyard, Mediterranean Garden
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Agave
Guides with
Agave
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