Scientific Name
Agave lechuguilla Torr.
Common Name(s)
Lechuguilla, Shin Dagger, Tampico Fiber
Synonym(s)
Agave poselgeri, Agave multilineata, Agave lophantha var. tamaulipasana, Agave lophantha var. subcanescens, Agave lophantha var. poselgeri
Scientific Classification
Family: Asparagaceae
Subfamily: Agavoideae
Genus: Agave
Description
Agave lechuguilla is a succulent plant that forms stemless, frequently suckering rosettes of thick fleshy leaves that bend upward, have prickles on the margins, and end in a sharp spine. The rosettes grow up to 2 feet (60 cm) in diameter. Leaves are light green to yellowish-green, up to 18 inches (45 cm) long, and up to 2 inches (5 cm) wide. At 10 to 15 years old, the rosette blooms once then dies. The flower stalk produced at this time is up to 12 feet (3.6 m) tall. Flowers are yellow, frequently tinged with red or purple, and up to 1.8 inches (4.5 cm) long.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zones 7a to 10b: from 0 °F (−17.8 °C) to 35 °F (+1.7 °C).
How to Grow and Care
Once established, most Agaves are easy to grow and take little care.
These plants require full sun to part shade. If you are growing Agaves indoors, choose a bright, sunny window with as much sun as possible. Plants that are grown in low-light conditions become etiolated. Agave plants love going outside from spring to fall.
Agaves will tolerate most soils as long as they have good drainage, but their preference is sandy or rocky soil.
Mature plants are very drought tolerant. From spring to fall, water thoroughly your Agave when the soil mix becomes dry. In winter, water sparingly about once a month. Overwatering may encourage fungal root rot. When you first establish an Agave plant outdoors, water once or twice a week. Plants in containers require more frequent watering than those in the ground.
When the pot becomes full of roots, it has become pot-bound. If you notice your Agave becoming pot-bound, repot it with new soil in a new pot that is just slightly larger than the old one.
Learn more at How to Grow and Care for Agave.
Uses
Lechuguilla has been used for food, drink, and fiber for over 10,000 years. The toxic juices have been used as an arrow poison, a fish stupefier, a medicine, and a soap. Aztecs made a powerful antibiotic from a mixture of Lechuguilla juice and salt and used it as a dressing for wounds and a balm for skin infections. See more at Lechuguilla: Short Plant with a Long History.
Origin
This species is native to western Texas, southern New Mexico, and south into Mexico.
Links
- Back to genus Agave
- Succulentopedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
Photo Gallery
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