The extensive genus of agaves unites approximately 300 species native to North and Central America. Agaves are very undemanding plants. The name was given in honor of Agave – the daughter of one of the ancient mythical kings.
Agave is a fairly powerful plant with succulent leaves. The leaves have an aquiferous tissue, which allows them to spend moisture during dry periods very economically. The diameter of the leaf rosette reaches 2.5 m. The leaves are large, solid, fleshy, wide or narrow, ending in strong spines; most species have strong bent or straight thorns at the edges of the leaves. The color of the leaves is gray, green, bluish-green, in some species yellow or white stripes or whitish threads are split along the edges of the leaves, split off from the edges. The leaves are covered with a thick waxy coating.
Agave blooms once in a lifetime – after flowering it dies, leaving numerous root offspring. A high peduncle (up to 10 m) appears from the middle of the outlet and bears several thousand (2 to 8) beautiful bell-shaped flowers collected in panicled inflorescences. Indoor plant never blooms. Continue reading →