Scientific Name
Agave salmiana Otto ex Salm-Dyck
Synonym(s)
Agave atrovirens var. salmiana, Agave salmiana var. salmiana
Common Name(s)
Giant Agave, Pulque Agave, Century Plant
Scientific Classification
Family: Asparagaceae
Subfamily: Agavoideae
Genus: Agave
Etymology
The specific epithet "salmiana" (pronounced "salm-ee-AH-na") honors Joseph Franz Maria Anton Hubert Ignatz, Prince and Count of Salm-Reifferscheidt-Dyck (1773-1861 in Nice), a German aristocrat, amateur botanist, and owner of Castle Dyck.
Origin
Agave salmiana is native to central and southern Mexico.
Description
Agave salmiana is a succulent plant that forms a large rosette of thick, dark green leaves with strong teeth on the edges and a large terminal spine. The leaves can reach up to 5 feet (1.5 m) in length.
It flowers after 15 to 25 years, producing a flower stalk that typically grows up to 13 feet (4 m) tall, bearing clusters of greenish-yellow flowers.
Varieties of Agave salmiana
- Agave salmiana subsp. crassispina
- Agave salmiana var. ferox
- Agave salmiana subsp. salmiana
Cultivars of Agave salmiana
- Agave salmiana 'Green Giant'
- Agave salmiana var. ferox 'Medio Picta'
- Agave salmiana var. ferox 'Variegata'
How to Grow and Care for Agave salmiana
Hardiness: USDA hardiness zone 8a to 11b: from 10°F (-12.2°C) to 50°F (10°C).
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. On the other hand, if you're the type of person who likes to set it and forget it, and you have a sunny window, Agave might be the way to go. Be aware that some 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 injure small children and even pets.
Generally, Agaves do not require repotting every year. Most species commonly found in cultivation grow very slowly and take a long time to outgrow their pot. It's also best to handle your Agave as little as possible, since they do not like being disturbed. When repot, refresh the spent soil with a new potting mix and ensure the plant is firmly anchored in its pot. However, be careful not to pot the Agave too deeply, as that will encourage stem rot during the growing season.
See more at How to Grow and Care for Agave.
Links
- Back to genus Agave
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
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