Description
It is a very small and hardy agave that forms a compact spherical rosette, with many stiff, very narrow, linear leaves. Will form offshoots to create a colony of rosettes.
Rosettes: Individual rosettes with hundreds of thin leaves that grow very slowly and do not overreach 20 to 30 cm in height and width.
Leaves: Narrow, needle-like, evergreen, light blue-green or gray-green that turn red tints in sun or strong light, roundish in cross-section, toothless on the margin, typically can be to 40 inches tall but in this form are less than half of this (about 10-20 cm long); thick at the base then narrowing to end in a very sharp spine. Drier plants in full sun often get beautiful red coloration.
Flowers: When mature the flowers appear on long unbranched spikes in the fall. This species is noted as being one of the few Agave that is not monocarpic so it does not die after flowering.
Remarks: This agave looks more like a Yucca and the stem branches at the point where the inflorescence initiates and multiple rosettes form, a trait that is again, much like a Yucca.
Origin and Habitat
Agave stricta is native to the Tehuacan Valley of southern Puebla and northern Oaxaca in Mexico. This selected cultivar is probably of garden origin (Nursery produced cultivar)
Cultivation and Propagation
Agave stricta is a versatile and very hardy plant that can be grown in half-shade to full-sun.
Hardiness: It can take moderate to severe freezes. Agave stricta is theoretically hardy to -4° C, particularly when dry. But it is best to avoid severe freezing temperatures.
Watering: It is drought tolerant. In winter this plant can be watered once every 1-2 months. There is no need to mist the leaves.
Heat Tolerance: Excellent.
Propagation: Relatively easy to propagate by suckers (if available). Remove the basal suckers in spring or summer, and let the cuttings dry for a few days before inserting in compost.
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