Agave

Agave tequilana

Tequila Agave

Agave tequilana is a succulent perennial from the arid regions of central and western Mexico, where it stores water in its thick leaves and endures long dry spells. Give it the brightest, sunniest spot you have and a gritty, fast-draining mix, then water deeply but only when the soil has dried out completely to the bottom of the pot. It rots quickly if left sitting in moisture, so when in doubt, wait.

Agave attenuata

Fox Tail Agave

A succulent rosette-forming subshrub from the highlands of central and southwestern Mexico, Agave attenuata stores water in its fleshy leaves and is adapted to bright, dry conditions. Give it the brightest spot you have, ideally some direct sun, in fast-draining gritty mix. Water deeply only when the soil has dried out completely, roughly every two to four weeks, and back off in winter, since standing moisture rots the base.

Agave vivipara

Caribbean Agave

Agave vivipara is a succulent perennial from the arid Caribbean coast, storing water in thick, fibrous leaves and rotting if kept wet. Give it gritty, fast-draining mix and a sunny spot, and water deeply but infrequently — only when the soil has gone completely dry to the bottom of the pot. In cooler or darker months, stretch the interval out further still.

Agave parryi

Parry's Agave

Agave parryi is a succulent perennial from the arid highlands of the southwestern United States and Mexico, forming a tight rosette of stiff, water-storing leaves. It wants strong direct sun and fast-draining, gritty mineral soil, and it stores water in its leaves, so it rots if kept wet. Water deeply but infrequently, only once the soil has dried out completely through the pot.

Agave victoriae-reginae

Royal Agave

A slow-growing succulent rosette native to the arid limestone country of northeastern Mexico, storing water in its thick leaves and resenting wet roots. Give it the brightest spot you have, ideally direct sun, in a gritty fast-draining mix. Water deeply only once the soil has dried fully through, when the mix is bone-dry well below the surface.

Agave lechuguilla

Lecheguilla Agave

Agave lechuguilla is a succulent perennial native to the arid limestone deserts of northern Mexico and the southwestern United States, storing water in its stiff, fibrous leaves. Give it the brightest, most direct light you can and a gritty, fast-draining mix; water deeply but only when the soil has gone completely dry to the bottom of the pot. It tolerates dry indoor air well and rots quickly if left sitting in moisture.

Agave deserti

Desert Agave

Agave deserti is a desert succulent from California and northwestern Mexico, built to store water in its thick leaves and endure long dry spells. Give it the brightest direct light you have and a gritty, fast-draining mix, then water deeply only when the soil has been completely dry for some time. Err toward drought — this plant rots far more readily than it thirsts.

Agave potatorum

Butterfly Agave

Agave potatorum is a rosette-forming succulent perennial native to the semi-arid highlands of central and southern Mexico, where it stores water in its thick leaves and demands sharp, gritty drainage. Give it the brightest spot you have, ideally direct sun, and water deeply but rarely — only once the soil has dried out completely all the way through the pot. It rots quickly if left sitting in moisture, so err toward under-watering.

Agave shawii

Coastal Agave

Agave shawii is a succulent perennial from the coastal scrub of California and northwestern Mexico, where it stores water in thick rosette leaves and endures long dry spells. Give it the brightest, sunniest spot you have and a gritty, fast-draining mix, then water deeply only once the soil has dried out completely — when the mix is dry several inches down. Err toward drought; sitting in damp soil rots the roots and crown.

Agave vilmoriniana

Octopus Plant

Agave vilmoriniana is a succulent perennial from the arid uplands of Mexico, storing water in its arching leaves and resenting wet roots. Give it the brightest, sunniest spot you have and a gritty, fast-draining mix. Water deeply but infrequently, only when the soil has gone completely dry to a finger's depth — every two to four weeks indoors, and less in winter.

Agave ovatifolia

Whale's Tongue Agave

Agave ovatifolia is a succulent perennial from the arid uplands of northeastern Mexico, storing water in thick rosette leaves and resenting wet roots. Give it the brightest spot you have, ideally direct sun, in a gritty fast-draining mix. Water deeply but infrequently, only once the soil has dried out completely several inches down.

Agave lophantha

Lechuguilla

Agave lophantha is a succulent rosette-forming perennial from arid and semi-arid country across northeastern Mexico, the Gulf coast, and Texas, where it endures bright sun and gritty, fast-draining ground. Give it the brightest light you have, ideally direct sun, and a coarse, mineral mix that never stays soggy. Water deeply but rarely, only once the soil has dried out completely; if you are unsure, wait longer, since this plant tolerates drought far better than wet roots.

Agave applanata

Pulque Agave

Agave applanata is a succulent perennial from arid and semi-arid regions of Mexico, forming a stout rosette that stores water in its thick leaves. Give it the brightest, most direct light you have and a gritty, fast-draining mix, and water deeply only when the soil has dried out completely — typically every 2 to 4 weeks, longer in winter. Standing moisture rots the crown and roots, so err toward keeping it dry.

Agave horrida

Horrid Agave

Agave horrida is a succulent perennial from central Mexico, built to store water in its stiff, spined rosette and endure long dry spells. Give it the brightest, sunniest spot you can and a gritty, fast-draining mix, and water deeply only when the soil has dried out completely several inches down. It rots if left sitting in damp soil, so err toward keeping it dry.

Agave karwinskii

Madrecuixe

Agave karwinskii is a succulent perennial from the arid uplands of central and southwestern Mexico, built to store water in its fleshy rosette and endure long dry spells. Give it the brightest, sunniest spot you can and a gritty, fast-draining mix; water deeply only when the soil has dried out completely, then let it dry again before the next watering. It rots if left sitting wet, so err toward neglect rather than generosity.

Agave mapisaga

Maguey

Agave mapisaga is a large succulent perennial from the arid and semi-arid highlands of central and northern Mexico, storing water in thick rosette leaves. Give it the brightest, most direct light you can offer and a gritty, fast-draining mix. Water deeply but rarely, letting the soil dry out completely — water only when the mix is dry all the way through.