Photo of Agave palmeri form by Stan Shebs

Photo by Stan Shebs

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Agave palmeri

Also Known As

  • Agave palmeri [Chiricahua Mtns.]
  • Palmer's Agave
  • Palmer's Agave

Plant type

cactus / succulent

size

  • H: 3'-5'
  • W: 3'-5'

planting zones

  • 8a-11

More Options

Agave palmeri plant details

Agave palmeri is an evergreen cactus / succulent with blue foliage. In fall, spring and summer green and yellow flowers emerge. Features glaucous texture. Grows well with sun and occasional - low water. Drought tolerant once established. Prefers to be dry in winter, dry when dormant. Does well in average, gritty, lean, rocky and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant and verticillium wilt resistant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Agave palmeri

Plant type: cactus / succulent
Plant family: agavaceae, asparagaceae
Foliage: evergreen blue
Mature size: 3 FT - 5 FT - wide, 3 FT - 5 FT - tall
Flowers: green and yellow blooms in fall, spring and summer
Uses: architectural, border plant, container plant, desert garden, houseplant, rock garden, rosette-forming, spiky, xeric, year round interest

GROWING CONDITIONS for Agave palmeri

USDA Zones: 8a - 11
Sun exposure: sun
Watering frequency: occasional - low
Resistant to: deer and rabbit, heat and verticillium wilt
Soil needs: average, gritty, lean, rocky and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Zn 7. Compact rosettes. Redish teeth along edges
Full Sun. Outdoor. Pale to Greenish Yellow on 15' tall tubercle.

By: Moon - Sun Cactus & Koi Gardens

A handsome agave, to 3' tall x 4' wide, with stiff, blue-green leaves edged with curved, sharp, red-brown teeth and tipped with a long, sharp spine. Native to southeastern Arizona, southern New Mexico, and northern Mexico, this form originated in the Chiricahua Mountains of south eastern Arizona at higher than usual elevations. The flower stalks, produced in early spring after 5 years, bear pale, greenish yellow flowers followed by banana-like fruit. Plants offset, fortunately, as this a monocarpic species that dies after setting seed. Full sun with good drainage is best with only very occasional summer water. Frost hardy to 5 °F, mid USDA zone 7. [Chiricahua Mtns., 6900' elev.]

Gardening facts about Agave palmeri plant

How to Grow Agave palmeri

  • Sun Exposure

    • sun
  • Water Needs

    • occasional - drought tolerant
  • Water Needs

    • dry in winter
  • Water Needs

    • dry when dormant
  • Soil Needs

    • average
    • lean
    • well-drained
    • rocky
    • gritty
  • Special Situation

    • heat tolerant
    • verticillium wilt resistant

Features

  • Foliage Color

    • blue
  • Flower Color

    • yellow
    • green
  • Wildlife

    • deer resistant
    • rabbit resistant
  • Flower Season

    • fall
    • summer
    • spring
  • Foliage Season

    • evergreen
  • Texture

    • glaucous
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