Agave desmettiana (Smooth Agave)

Scientific Name

Agave desmettiana Jacobi

Common Names

Smooth Agave, Dwarf Century Plant, Spineless Jade Agave

Synonyms

Agave desmetiana, Agave miradorensis, Agave regeliana, Agave ananassoides

Scientific Classification

Family: Asparagaceae
Subfamily: Agavoideae
Genus: Agave

Description

Agave desmettiana is a rosette-forming perennial succulent with attractive, dark blue-green leaves. Each leaf is thick, rigid, fleshy and linear-lanceolate, up to 40 inches (1 m) long and up to 3.5 inches (9 cm) wide with smooth margins and a single reddish sharp terminal spine. Each rosette will flower only once, usually at some point between 8-10 years. The flowering rosette dies after flowering, but new rosettes formed by suckers/offsets from the base of the mother plant will remain. The flowering stalk rises from the center of a rosette, up to 8 feet (2.5 m) tall, producing side branches containing terminal clusters of pale yellow flowers. In its native habitat, flowers typically bloom in spring to early summer.

How to Grow and Care

Agave is not a difficult plant to grow. They're slow-growing and dramatic and will even thrive on a bit of neglect. If you're the type of person who likes to fuss with houseplants and water a lot, Agave is probably not the plant for you. If, however, you're the type of person who likes to set it and forget it, and you have a sunny window, Agave might the way to go. Be aware that some of the large varieties will eventually outgrow your room (unless you have a large greenhouse), and Agave can be aggressive. They have irritating sap and sometimes very sharp thorns that can cause injuries to small children and even pets… – See more at: How to Grow and Care for Agave.

Origin

Native to tropical and subtropical eastern Mexico.

Links

BACK TO genus Agave
SUCCULENTOPEDIA: Browse succulents by Genus, Family, Scientific Name, Common Name, Origin, or cacti by Genus

Photo Gallery