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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

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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

Agave attenuata plant details

CHARACTERISTICS OF Agave attenuata

GROWING CONDITIONS for Agave attenuata

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

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How to Grow Agave attenuata

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