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    • Photo of Agave attenuata by plant lust

    Photo by plant lust

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    Buy Agave attenuata

    Also Known As

    • Fox Tail Agave
    • Foxtail Agave
    • Swan's Neck Agave

    Plant type

    cactus / succulent

    size

    • H: 4'-5'
    • W: 3'-4'

    planting zones

    • 9b-12

    4in | $9.75

    Buy button links directly to nursery

    Fewer than 12 at Dry Oasis Plants

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    Agave attenuata plant details

    A very beautiful Agave with sumptuous rosettes of graceful gently curving spineless leaves that narrow to a graceful point. It cannot tolerate freezing temperatures, but makes a wonderful container specimen, and unlike many agaves, it won't poke you as you move it indoors or to a heated greenhouse for safety when temperatures dip below freezing. If you're lucky enough to live in a frost free location where Agave attenuata grows year round, or if you are diligent about providing winter protection elsewhere, it produces offsets, and the oldest rosettes may develop a short trunk, forming a beautiful colony with rosettes in varying sizes and heights. After about a decade, the oldest rosettes may produce dramatic 10 foot tall foxtail-like flower spikes. The flowering rosette will die off but the offsets will remain.

    Agave attenuata is an evergreen cactus / succulent with green foliage. In summer chartreuse, cream and yellow flowers emerge. Features glaucous texture. Attracts bees making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun - mostly shade and regular - low water. 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, humidity tolerant and verticillium wilt resistant.

    CHARACTERISTICS OF Agave attenuata

    Plant type: cactus / succulent
    Plant family: agavaceae, asparagaceae
    Foliage: evergreen green
    Mature size: 3 FT - 4 FT - wide, 4 FT - 5 FT - tall
    Flowers: chartreuse, cream and yellow blooms in summer
    Uses: architectural, container plant, desert garden, houseplant, infrequent-blooming, monocarpic, rock garden, rosette-forming, sculptural, spineless, tropical-looking, xeric, year round interest

    GROWING CONDITIONS for Agave attenuata

    USDA Zones: 9b - 12
    Sun exposure: sun - mostly shade
    Watering frequency: regular - 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 attenuata is an attractive Agave variety with wavy, blue green, pointed leaves that form a gorgeous rosette. The common name comes from the blooms that come at the end of the plant’s life, which resemble downturned fox tails.

    By: Little Prince of Oregon

    Also known as the Foxtail agave, this spineless, smooth leaved agave is very attractive in the landscape. Flower spikes are enormous and look like large, fuzzy animal tails. Grows best in part shade. Nice, lime green, graceful leaves. Up to 3-4 feet across.

    By: Paradise Found Nursery

    Needs protection in winter, not cold hardy. Also needs protection from the harsh sun. Light Shade to Shade. Yellow-Green drooping Flowers organized as a raceme on 7-13' stalk. Outdoor. shade.

    By: Moon - Sun Cactus & Koi Gardens

    One Lollapalooza of a focal point! And a fabulous container plant, too, with its smooth (no wicked hooks), soft green leaves forming large architectural rosettes & its high tolerance for being pot-bound, we think more folks should pot it up! In the ground, the rosettes can grow up to 4’ across held on stout stems up to 4’ tall, spreading by rosettes to 7’ across. 7’-10’ crazy-cool “swansneck” spikes clothed in a mass of lemony chartreuse flowers appear 10 years after planting (earlier in a pot) attracting hordes of happy bees. Flowering rosette dies thereafter but side rosettes or “pups” can be counted on to carry on the incredible show. BEST with some Summer water & well-drained soil.

    By: Annie's Annuals & Perennials

    Gardening facts about Agave attenuata plant

    How to Grow Agave attenuata

    • Sun Exposure

      • sun - mostly shade

    • Water Needs

      • regular - low

    • Water Needs

      • dry in winter

    • Water Needs

      • dry when dormant

    • Soil Needs

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

    • Special Situation

      • heat tolerant
      • humidity tolerant
      • verticillium wilt resistant

    Features

    • Foliage Color

      • green

    • Flower Color

      • cream
      • yellow
      • chartreuse

    • Wildlife

      • bees
      • deer resistant
      • rabbit resistant

    • Flower Season

      • summer

    • Foliage Season

      • evergreen

    • Texture

      • glaucous

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