Buy Agave ocahui

This symmetrical and architectural century plant from Sonora -- to under 18" to 2 ft with shiny forest-green leaves and cream to mahogany edges -- is underutilized in both garden and container. The flower stems are quite narrow, to 12 ft or more in height after several years, but it is really the unusual rosette we are after. Our favorite specimen is in a deep brown Chinese urn that reflects the color of the leaf margins. Low to medium nutrients maintain compact growth. This collection, by Greg Starr from one of its northern sites a few miles south of the Arizona border, has been frost hardy to nearly 10F with good drainage. Protect in containers below upper USDA zone 8.

Zn 9. Narrow dark green leaves. No spines.

Full Sun. Outdoor. Old plants have bright Yellow Flowers on a 10 feet tall spike.

Elegantly spiky! The rigid dark green blades of this agave have attractive reddish margins. And it doesn’t produce offsets so it’s perfect for that architectural gardener in your life! This 2-3’ wide agave forms what looks to be a dense ball of danger. But really, its bark is worse than its bite. The spines are sharp to be sure but are still rather flexible so you shouldn’t be punctured too deeply if you bump into it. This is an excellent candidate for a container with its petite size & ability to withstand abuse. In fact, tough conditions only enhance its ball-shaped form. So bring on the reflected heat & drought! Shade & excess water will only encourage it to grow leggy & loose. Native to cliff faces of Sonora, Mexico, so best with good drainage. When it blooms the spike will reach nearly 15’ tall & is dense with yellow-green flowers. The only trick (at least in winter rainfall areas) is that winter water should be kept at a minimum. Very nice looking in containers alongside grasses.