Photo of Agave utahensis foliage by Forest & Kim Starr

Photo by Forest & Kim Starr

Images created by Forest Starr & Kim Starr are licensed under Creative Commons Attribution.

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Agave utahensis

Also Known As

  • Agave utahensis var. utahensis
  • Utah Agave

Plant type

cactus / succulent

size

  • H: 12"-18"
  • W: 10"-16"

planting zones

  • 7a-11

More Options

Agave utahensis plant details

Agave utahensis is an evergreen cactus / succulent with blue and green foliage. In spring and summer 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 gritty, lean, rocky and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant and verticillium wilt resistant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Agave utahensis

Plant type: cactus / succulent
Plant family: agavaceae, asparagaceae
Foliage: evergreen blue and green
Mature size: 10 IN - 16 IN - wide, 12 IN - 18 IN - tall
Flowers: yellow blooms in spring and summer
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 utahensis

USDA Zones: 7a - 11
Sun exposure: sun
Watering frequency: occasional - low
Resistant to: deer and rabbit, heat and verticillium wilt
Soil needs: gritty, lean, rocky and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Zn 7. Narrow blue-green leaves with tiny teeth.
Mojave native, to 18"d. Narrow grey-green leaves, toothy margins. Hardy to below 0 °F.
Full Sun. Outdoor. 5 to 12' Tall Stalk with deep Yellow Flowers.

By: Moon - Sun Cactus & Koi Gardens

This collection from 7000 ft in the mountains south and west of Grand Canyon has particularly large blue-gray rosettes of spine-tipped leaves edged with hooked spines and could, perhaps, be A. utahensis var. kaibabensis. As with their close relatives, plants offset rather sparsely to make attractive clumps rather than colonies. After 10 years or so, flowers spikes rise to nearly 10'. Though one of the most frost hardy agaves, they do like their drainage, so in areas of high moisture, best placed in stone walls or under cover. Cold hardy to about -20 °F, USDA zone 5. Good container plant anywhere.

Gardening facts about Agave utahensis plant

How to Grow Agave utahensis

  • Sun Exposure

    • sun
  • Water Needs

    • occasional - drought tolerant
  • Water Needs

    • dry in winter
  • Soil Needs

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

    • heat tolerant
    • verticillium wilt resistant

Features

  • Foliage Color

    • green
    • blue
  • Flower Color

    • yellow
  • Wildlife

    • deer resistant
    • rabbit resistant
  • Flower Season

    • summer
    • spring
  • Foliage Season

    • evergreen
  • Texture

    • glaucous
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