Photo of Agave murpheyi foliage, form by Digigalos

Photo by Digigalos

This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.

Show all photos

Agave murpheyi

Also Known As

  • Hohokam Agave
  • Murphy's Agave

Plant type

cactus / succulent

size

  • H: 18"-24"
  • W: 18"-24"

planting zones

  • 7b-10b

More Options

Agave murpheyi plant details

Agave murpheyi is an evergreen cactus / succulent with blue foliage. In fall, spring and winter 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. 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 murpheyi

Plant type: cactus / succulent
Plant family: agavaceae, asparagaceae
Foliage: evergreen blue
Mature size: 18 IN - 24 IN - wide, 18 IN - 24 IN - tall
Flowers: green and yellow blooms in fall, spring and winter
Uses: architectural, border plant, container plant, desert garden, houseplant, infrequent-blooming, monocarpic, rock garden, rosette-forming, spiky, xeric, year round interest

GROWING CONDITIONS for Agave murpheyi

USDA Zones: 7b - 10b
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

Full Sun to Partial Shade. Outdoor. Greenish Yellow to Yellow w/ Reddish margins. 14' tall spike.

By: Moon - Sun Cactus & Koi Gardens

Sweet little agave, from mid elevation deserts of central Arizona into Sonora, often found associated with Native American sites. To 18", or 2 feet at most, with narrow, upright leaves, slightly recurved and steel to powder blue. Offsetting fairly quickly. The eventual flowers also produce tiny bulbils -- as the song goes -- which might explain its being spread by people in the early days. Because of its drier habitats we keep ours in pots with very well drained soil, or only in the most exposed areas of our garden and growing in true grit. Full sun. Again, dry conditions with an occasional splash of summer water. Cold hardy into upper USDA zone 7 if dry.

Gardening facts about Agave murpheyi plant

How to Grow Agave murpheyi

  • Sun Exposure

    • sun
  • Water Needs

    • occasional - drought tolerant
  • Water Needs

    • dry in winter
  • 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

    • winter
    • spring
    • fall
  • Foliage Season

    • evergreen
  • Texture

    • glaucous

See other plant types of Agave for your garden

aka Agave americana 'Cornelius', Agave americana 'Marginata Aurea Monstrosa', Agave americana aureo-marginata, Agave americana aureo-marginata 'Cornelius'

Plant Type

Cactus / Succulent

Zones

9a-11

Size

Height: 1'-2'

Width: 2'-4'

  • sun
  • occasional - drought tolerant
  • dry in winter
  • dry when dormant
Photo of Agave 'Cornelius' foliage by Dry Oasis Plants
View Plant

More Options

Plant Type

Cactus / Succulent

Zones

7b-10b

Size

Height: 2'-4'

Width: 3'-6'

  • sun - dappled shade
  • occasional - drought tolerant
  • dry in winter
  • dry when dormant
Photo of Agave gentryi 'Jaws' foliage by Karl Gercens III
View Plant

More Options

aka Agave montana 'Baccarat', Mountain Agave

Plant Type

Cactus / Succulent

Zones

7a-10b

Size

Height: 1'-2'

Width: 2'-3'

  • sun
  • regular - drought tolerant
  • dry in winter
Photo of Agave 'Baccarat' by Danger Garden
View Plant

More Options

aka Agave aff. parryi var. couesii, Agave couesii, Agave parryi couesii, Agave parryi ssp. couesii

Plant Type

Cactus / Succulent

Zones

6a-10b

Size

Height: 18"-36"

Width: 24"-48"

  • sun
  • occasional - drought tolerant
  • dry in winter
Photo of Agave parryi var. couesii foliage by Cistus Nursery
View Plant

More Options

aka Agave wislizenni, Cabbage Head Agave

Plant Type

Cactus / Succulent

Zones

7b-10b

Size

Height: 1'-2'

Width: 1'-2'

  • sun
  • occasional - drought tolerant
  • dry in winter
Photo of Agave parrasana flower, form by Cistus Nursery
View Plant

More Options

+343 more Agave
Mailing List
Sign Up for updates on new plant arrivals and deals

© 2010—2026 Plant Lust, LLC All Rights Reserved