Actual size and flowering may vary slightly based on season.
Jaws Agave
Jaws Agave is a selection of Agave gentryi from the pine forests of Nuevo León, Mexico, around 8,000 feet up. Its glossy, apple green leaves carry large teeth and deep curves along the edges, and they fold together like a mouth full of teeth. It forms a medium-sized rosette about 3 to 4 feet tall and 4 to 6 feet wide. It is one of the most cold tolerant of the large agaves.
Best for: a specimen with some shade from the hottest sun, open spots set back from paths, and yards where you do not want to cover plants on frost nights.
The glossy green leaves carry strong leaf imprints and large teeth, and they fold together like a mouth full of teeth. Give it an open spot where the form shows.
It grows in sun or shade. In hot climates it wants some shade, so a spot with shade from the hottest afternoon sun suits it.
It comes from about 8,000 feet in the mountains of Nuevo León and is listed as hardy to about 5°F. That is far colder than a Valley winter, so you can skip the frost cloth.
Cold, wet soil can rot it, so good drainage and a gravel mulch matter. The large teeth and tip spine are sharp, so keep it away from walks, play areas and pools.
- Group or mass planting4 ft apart
- Loose group or border6 ft apart
Set it in dry soil at the depth it grew in the pot. Hold off watering for about 1 to 2 weeks in warm weather, or up to a month when it is cool. Then water about every other week while nights stay above 60°F. Light shade cloth for the first few weeks helps it settle.
Water deeply, then let the soil dry before the next soak. About every 2 weeks in summer and every 3 to 4 weeks in spring and fall is plenty. Cut back by October and let winter rain carry it.
It rarely needs any fertilizer. If you do feed, use a light balanced fertilizer in spring or early summer, never on a new plant and never in fall or winter. No pruning is needed beyond removing dead lower leaves.
It grows in sun or shade. In hot climates it wants some shade, so give it cover from the strongest afternoon sun.
It takes cold to about 5°F, but cold, wet soil can rot it. Keep the soil dry in winter and use a gravel mulch to help drainage.
Drainage test first. Dig the hole and fill it with water. If water is still sitting in the hole a day later, you likely hit caliche, clay or hard soil, so fix the drainage before planting. If it drains very fast, the soil is sandy. Standing water around roots is a common reason new plants fail.
Weed cloth. Cut it away from the planting hole and where the roots will spread. Remove any plastic sheeting completely, since it keeps water and air out of the soil.
Rock or decomposed granite with no soil underneath. Bring in soil close in texture to your native soil, mix it with the soil below, and build up enough depth for roots before planting.
If you can break through. Use a breaker bar, pick, or jackhammer. Dig through the caliche and break out the solid chunks. Backfill with the soil you dug out, with no compost or manure in the hole. Confirm drainage before planting.
If you cannot break through. Dig narrow holes through the hard layer beside the root ball, not under it, and refill them with the same soil, not gravel. If it still will not drain, plant on a low mound of the same soil.
Root ball. Check the outside edges for any roots circling around. Loosen or cut those so they grow outward. Do not break up the center of the root ball.
Depth. The top of the root ball should sit at or just slightly above the surrounding soil level. Planting too deep can lead to rot and kill the plant.
Drip emitters. At planting, put the emitters on the root ball, on different sides of the plant. After about 2 months, move them to the outer edge of the root ball. Over the first year, add emitters farther out toward the edge of the branches as roots grow. Once a plant is rooted, never water only at the trunk.
Why is it called Jaws Agave?
Its leaves have large teeth and deep curves along the edges. They fold together so the rosette looks like a mouth full of teeth, so give it a spot where you can see the form.
How big does Jaws Agave get?
It grows about 3 to 4 feet tall and 4 to 6 feet wide. It stays smaller in a container. Give it open room in the ground.
How cold hardy is it?
It is one of the most cold tolerant of the large agaves, listed to about 5°F, so a Valley winter will not hurt it. Keep the soil dry in winter, since cold and wet together can rot it.
Does it need shade in Phoenix?
It grows in sun or shade, and in hot climates it wants some shade. Give it cover from the hottest afternoon sun.
How often should I water it?
Water it only now and then once it is rooted, and let the soil dry out between soaks. Plant it where the soil drains well, and water little or not at all in winter.
Where does Jaws Agave come from?
It was collected at about 8,000 feet in the pine forests of Nuevo León in northern Mexico. Agave gentryi grows in those mountains at about 6,000 to 9,500 feet.
Does it bloom?
It blooms only once, late in life, on a tall stalk of yellow flowers. That rosette then dies, like most agaves, so plan to remove it after the stalk dries.
Are the teeth sharp?
Yes. The leaf edges carry large teeth and each leaf ends in a stiff spine. Keep it back from walks and pools, or snip the tips.
Is it poisonous to pets?
Agave sap can irritate a pet's mouth and skin if chewed and upset the stomach. The teeth and tip can also poke. Keep pets from chewing on it.
Jaws Agave for sale in Arizona, delivered to you
Jaws Agave is a selection of Agave gentryi, a mountain agave from northeastern Mexico. It is grown for its glossy green leaves and big, curving teeth. Below is what to expect from it in the Valley, from shade and water to size, cold and blooming.
Sourced from trusted Arizona growers and delivered directly to your door, job site, or property. We deliver across the Valley and to nearby towns, and quote delivery anywhere else in Arizona.
What is Jaws Agave?
It is a selection of Agave gentryi from about 8,000 feet in the mountains of Nuevo León, Mexico. Its glossy green leaves have large teeth and fold together like jaws.
How big does Jaws Agave get?
It grows about 3 to 4 feet tall and 4 to 6 feet wide. It stays smaller when grown in a container.
How cold hardy is Jaws Agave?
It is one of the most cold tolerant of the large agaves, listed to about 5°F. Good drainage matters more than cold, since cold, wet soil can rot it.
Does Jaws Agave need shade?
It grows in sun or shade. In hot climates, give it some shade from the strongest afternoon sun.
How often do you water Jaws Agave?
Water it only now and then once it is rooted. Let the soil dry out between soaks and keep it dry in winter. A gravel mulch helps the soil drain.
Jaws Agave vs Whale's Tongue Agave
Both are mountain agaves from Nuevo León that take hard cold. Jaws has glossy green leaves with large teeth. Whale's tongue has broad blue-gray leaves.
We deliver across the Valley, from Phoenix, Scottsdale and Mesa out to San Tan Valley, Maricopa and Casa Grande, and up to Prescott, Sedona, Payson and Globe. See delivery areas and rates.