Frequently Asked Questions

Does agave utahensis flower?

Agave is a monocarpic species, meaning it flowers once, at the end of its life and then it dies. So yes, a fully mature agave utahensis plant—around 10 or 20 years old—will produce a single, very dramatic, and fast-growing 10-foot flower stalk, in a single season and then die. Generally, before this happens, it will have produced a number of offset “pups” that will outlive the flowering parent plant.

Why is agave called a century plant?

Botanists used to think agave took 100 years to fully mature and flower, hence the nickname “century plant.” We now know most species take far less than 100 years, agave utahensis for example typically matures in around 10 or 20 years.

What is the difference between utahensis, eborispina, and nevadensis?

There are four types of agave utahensis: ssp kaibabensis, ssp utahensis, var eborispina, and var nevadensis. Eborispina and nevadensis only occur in Nevada and California, primarily around the Spring Mountains near Las Vegas.

Both eborisina and nevadensis have longer spines than the other utahensis varieties. Of the two, eborispina has longer and more elaborate spines, while Nevadensis tends to have a more blue coloration compared to eborispina’s greener leaves. Nevadensis more commonly has wavy spines, compared to the straight, or bent spines of eborispina.

How cold hardy is agave utahensis?

Unlike many other agave species, which struggle in freezing temperatures, agave utahensis regularly withstands subzero temperatures and snow in its natural habitat, where it can be found at elevations as high as 6,500 feet.

Research published by the US Department of Energy indicates that agave utahensis is the “agave species with the highest frost tolerance” and that it is hardy down to -23c/-9f. In the chilly UK, utahensis has even been given the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit.

Variety nevadensis seems to grow at higher elevations, with more snow cover than variety eborispina, which probably means nevadensis is the more cold hardy of the two. Click here for more information, including a USDA Hardiness Zone map for agave utahensis.

Can I grow utahensis indoors?

Agave utahensis can absolutely be grown inside, most of the plants I sell are grown entirely indoors. It does require a lot of sunlight or artificial lighting to look its best if it will be living inside, and it will benefit from significant air circulation, such as that from a nearby fan.

Can utahensis survive full sun?

When mature, and fully acclimated, agave utahensis loves full sun. But here in the Las Vegas desert, seedlings will melt in mere hours under the hot summer sun. The seedlings I sell are not acclimated to full sun yet, so shade cloths and partial share should be used until they’re mature and acclimated.

How often should I water utahensis?

Agave utahensis loves frequent waterings, as long as it is allowed to dry out completely between each watering. Indoors, this can be achieved by placing your utahensis near a fan, which will speed up the rate of evaporation. A good rule of thumb is that the more often you can water your plant (while ensuring it dries out in between) the faster it will grow.

How should I fertilize utahensis?

Agave utahensis typically grows in very mineral-rich, limestone soil in the wild. Research studies and my own experiments have shown that utahensis responds well to frequent fertilization with a product that contains a wide spectrum of micronutrients, including calcium, magnesium, and boron.

Can I grow utahensis from seed?

Agave utahensis is a slow-growing plant, but it is fairly easy to grow from seed. A mix of inorganic and organic soil, combined with artificial lighting and humidity domes for the first few weeks works best. For more information, see my agave utahensis care guide.