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Agave bracteosa (Squid Agave)

Squid Agave, Octopus Agave, Spider Agave, Candelabrum Agave

Agave bracteosa, Octopus Agave, Yellow flowers, drought tolerant plant, evergreen plant

Slow-growing and cold-hardy, Agave bracteosa (Squid Agave) is a small evergreen succulent adding great interest in the landscape. It forms a graceful urn-shaped rosette of up to 20 slender, pale green, toothless leaves that arch and twist, resembling the tentacles of a squid. They grow upright and curl back towards the outside of the plant. Resembling a bottle brush, densely packed, creamy-white flowers appear atop a 4-8 ft. spike (120-240 cm) on mature plants. Unlike most Agaves, Agave bracteosa does not always die after blooming. It suckers readily to gradually form a dense colony, ensuring a continuing presence in the garden. Incredibly hardy to 8ºF (-13ºC), as long as the plant is kept dry in winter, Agave bracteosa is perfect for patio containers or small planting spaces.

  • Grows up to 12 in. tall (30 cm) and 18-24 in. wide (45-60 cm).
  • Easily grown in sandy or gravelly, well-drained soils in full sun or light shade. Drought tolerant once established.
  • Great for beds and borders, rock gardens, succulent gardens, or Mediterranean gardens. Ideal as an accent plant in sunny borders or in decorative containers.
  • Deer resistant. The flowers produce nectar and are attractive to birds and hummingbirds
  • Virtually disease free. Watch for scale insects.
  • Native to 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 7 - 11
Climate Zones 7, 8, 9, 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 10" - 1'
(25cm - 30cm)
Spread 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 24" (60cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low
Soil Type Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance Drought, Deer
Attracts Birds, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Patio And Containers
Garden Styles Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, 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

Aeonium ‘Sunburst’
Senecio mandraliscae (Blue Chalksticks)
Kalanchoe luciae (Paddle Plant)
Echinocactus grusonii (Golden Barrel Cactus)
Salvia leucantha (Mexican Bush Sage)

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

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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 7 - 11
Climate Zones 7, 8, 9, 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 10" - 1'
(25cm - 30cm)
Spread 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 24" (60cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low
Soil Type Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance Drought, Deer
Attracts Birds, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Patio And Containers
Garden Styles Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Agave
Guides with
Agave
Not sure which Agave to pick?
Compare Now

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