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Deborah’s Plant of the Week – Cold Hardy Agave

Posted on March, 06

Neomexicana & Havardiana are some of the most cold hardy agave species, able to withstand temperatures down to -20 degrees. Deborah says that no North Texas winters will affect these agaves!

She loves the look of the Neomexicana and thinks the dark burgundy, almost black tips add a lot of interest to the plant. This North American native is a small agave (2 ft x 2 ft) that prefers full to part sun. The gray-green leaves are very attractive, and form a large rosette, with smaller rosettes often sprouting around the base of the plant. When Neomexicana matures, after 8-15 years, it will produce a large yellow bloom.

Havardiana is another smaller (3 ft x 4 ft) evergreen agave and is native to rocky grasslands in west Texas and northern Mexico. It’s a handsome plant with silver-grey leaves bearing sharp marginal teeth and spine. The leaves are held in a tight rosette, and the branched flower stalk has greenish-yellow flowers when mature. Havardiana wants plenty of sun, but give it some afternoon shade.

If Southwest style landscapes appeal to you, Deborah highly recommends that you use these great agaves!  They are both available in 18 inch fiber pots which can be planted directly (pot and all) in to the ground in well-drained soil. See our Inventory for additional sizes and varieties of agaves.