Scientific Name
Agave sisalana Perrine
Common Name(s)
Hemp Plant, Mescal, Sisal, Sisal Agave, Sisal Hemp
Synonym(s)
Agave rigida subsp. sisalana, Agave rigida var. sisalana
Scientific Classification
Family: Asparagaceae
Subfamily: Agavoideae
Genus: Agave
Description
Agave sisalana is a succulent plant that forms short-stemmed rosettes of stiff sword-shaped leaves with spinless margins and a red-brown terminal spine. The stem grows up to 3.3 feet (1 m) tall. Leaves are glaucous when young, later dark blue-green. They are up to 5 feet (1.5 m) long and 6 inches (15 cm) wide. The inflorescence is a large panicle with flowers arranged on the terminal portion in dense clusters. It grows up to 20 feet (6 m) tall.
The flowers are yellowish-green with reddish filaments. They do not produce seeds but form bulbils, which are used for propagation. The bulbils are borne in the axils of the bracteoles of the inflorescence after flowering.
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. 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.
In general, Agaves do not need to be repotted 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 to be disturbed.
See more at How to Grow and Care for Agave.
Origin
Agave sisalana is native to southern Mexico but widely cultivated and naturalized in many other countries.
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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