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    • Photo of Agave bracteosa foliage by Karl Gercens III

    Photo by Karl Gercens III

    Used with permission, all rights reserved

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    Buy Agave bracteosa

    Also Known As

    • Candelabrum Agave
    • Squid Agave

    Plant type

    cactus / succulent

    size

    • H: 1'-6'
    • W: 2'-3'

    planting zones

    • 8a-12

    1ga | $14.75

    Buy button links directly to nursery

    Fewer than 2 at Dry Oasis Plants

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    Agave bracteosa plant details

    Squid Agave is a spineless, curvaceous Agave with remarkable cold hardiness (typically cited between 10-20°, with reports of survival at temps low as 5° if dry) provided good drainage and protection from wet winter conditions. Consider that it is found naturally growing on cliffs in the mountains of Mexico, so it likes rocky dry planting situations. Agaves are typically sun lovers, but A. bracteosa will tolerate a bit of shade. However shaded plants may be less tolerant of cold winters. Unusual among Agaves in that it's polycarpic, meaning it does not expire after blooming. On the small side, a single rosette will usually max out a 2 feet or so, but it can develop clusters of new plants around the base. On the rare occasion when it flowers, it rapidly shoots up a Seussian 6' tall bushy fox-tail of an inflorescence covered in tiny creamy flowers, with an overall bottle-brush effect.

    Agave bracteosa is an evergreen cactus / succulent with green foliage. In fall and summer cream and yellow flowers emerge. Grows well with sun - dappled shade and occasional - low water. Drought tolerant once established. Prefers to be dry in winter. Adapts to various soil conditions. Does well in average, gritty, lean, rocky and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant, humidity tolerant and verticillium wilt resistant.

    CHARACTERISTICS OF Agave bracteosa

    Plant type: cactus / succulent
    Plant family: agavaceae, asparagaceae
    Foliage: evergreen green
    Mature size: 2 FT - 3 FT - wide, 1 FT - 6 FT - tall
    Flowers: cream and yellow blooms in fall and summer
    Uses: architectural, bare root shipping available, container plant, desert garden, polycarpic, rare, rock garden, rosette-forming, spiky, spineless, xeric, year round interest

    GROWING CONDITIONS for Agave bracteosa

    USDA Zones: 8a - 12
    Sun exposure: sun - dappled shade
    Watering frequency: occasional - low
    Resistant to: deer and rabbit, heat, humidity and verticillium wilt
    Soil needs: average, gritty, lean, rocky and well-drained

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    Nursery contributed plant descriptions

    Agave bracteosa, commonly known as the Spider Agave, is a striking succulent native to the high-altitude regions of Mexico. This exceptional species is recognized for its distinctive rosette of soft, pliable, and spineless leaves, which appear in a radiant shade of blue-green. Unlike many other agaves, Agave bracteosa showcases flexibility in its foliage, making it safe to touch and ideal for landscaping in areas where safety is a concern. With a slow growth rate and a relatively compact size, this agave is a popular choice for ornamental gardens and container cultivation.

    By: Dry Oasis Plants

    Sun to Light Shade. Outdoor. spike of Creamy Yellow Flowers, does not die after blooming.

    By: Moon - Sun Cactus & Koi Gardens

    Looking more like a bromeliad, this agave's lax, spineless leaves are very choice. Polycarpic and rare in cultivation, these plants are found clinging to the high rocky mountains between Saltillo and Monterey in northeastern Mexico growing with pines and, yes, even Douglas fir and they love the cool summer nights of the Northwest. Slow growing, each rosette to 1' tall x 18" wide, gradually forming a wider clump. Sun to part shade in well drained soil with occasional summer water. Frost hardy to 10 °F, USDA zone 8, when kept dry in winter.

    By: Cistus Nursery

    Most species of Agave have thick leaves armed with teeth along the edges and tipped with a sharp spike, but Agave bracteosa is a non-conformist with its pliable unarmed green leaves. Its rosettes of narrow arching leaves do not get large, attaining a diameter of perhaps 2' (60 cm), but it produces offsets to form a clump. Those who have not encountered it before are usually surprised to learn that it is a type of Agave. Like many Agave species, A. bracteosa flowers in summer, with the flowering shoots emerging surprisingly rapidly. The inflorescence, which rises to a height of about 5 to 6' (a little less than 2 meters), does not have side-branches, but it is very densely flowered. The flowers are rather small, about an inch long (2½ cm) and are white to yellowish-white in color, with spreading petals. The long slender stamens and pistils extend far beyond the petal tips. A. bracteosa is native to northeastern Mexico, and it occurs in steep rocky areas and on cliffs in the mountains near Monterrey, Nuevo Leon and Saltillo, Coahuila. This area is also home to Agave victoriae-reginae, and the two sometimes grow near to each other. A. bracteosa makes an excellent garden subject, and it can be grown in sun or part-shade provided it has good drainage. It does not need winter protection in our area, having endured lows of 20 °F (-7°C) without injury.

    By: The Ruth Bancroft Garden

    Large mounds of arching, curving leaves to 12". Hardy to 20 °F.

    By: Cactus Jungle

    If you like Agaves but don't like spines, this is the species for you. 3' wide rosettes of soft, fleshy green leaves look only distantly Agave-like. In total effect it looks sort of like the frost-tender Octopus Agave (A. vilmoriana) in miniature. It is usually solitary, but I have occasionally observed it forming offsets. Although it is found in hot, dry areas in the wild, it is quite happy in cultivation with some moisture and protection from the hot sun. Too much shade, though, and it won't do well in cold, wet winters. Use it in a container or near a water feature. Once established, it can go as low as 15 °F, or even as low as 5 °F in climates with dry winters. Mexico.

    By: The Desert Northwest

    Gardening facts about Agave bracteosa plant

    How to Grow Agave bracteosa

    • Sun Exposure

      • sun - dappled shade

    • Water Needs

      • occasional - drought tolerant

    • Water Needs

      • dry in winter

    • Soil Needs

      • adaptable
      • average
      • lean
      • well-drained
      • rocky
      • gritty

    • Special Situation

      • heat tolerant
      • humidity tolerant
      • verticillium wilt resistant

    Features

    • Foliage Color

      • green

    • Flower Color

      • cream
      • yellow

    • Wildlife

      • deer resistant
      • rabbit resistant

    • Flower Season

      • fall
      • summer

    • Foliage Season

      • evergreen

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