Actual size and flowering may vary slightly based on season.
Mountain Agave
Mountain Agave grows as a single rosette that slowly takes the shape of a huge artichoke. Its wide, glossy apple-green leaves carry large reddish-brown teeth that press patterns into the leaves inside. It comes from mountains in northeastern Mexico up to 9,000 feet, so it handles cold, heat, drought and poor soil. Plan for about 3 to 5 feet tall and wide, with some shade in the low desert.
Best for: a specimen in a bed or border with some afternoon shade, large containers, and gardens that see hard frost.
In the low desert it wants part shade. A bed that gets morning sun and afternoon shade, or light shade from a tree, shows off the artichoke form.
It reaches about 3 to 5 feet tall and wide. Space plants about 4 to 6 feet apart, center to center, so each rosette keeps its shape.
It grows wild up to 9,000 feet and is very tolerant of cold, heat, drought and poor soils. Cold ratings run as low as about 0°F.
Full afternoon sun in the low desert is harder on it than part shade. Soil that stays wet can rot it. The large teeth and stout tip spine are sharp, so keep it back from walks and pools.
- Tight group4 ft apart
- Looser group6 ft apart
Plant into dry soil and wait about 1 to 2 weeks before the first watering, or up to a month in cool weather. Then water about every other week while nights stay above 60°F. Light shade cloth for the first few weeks helps it settle in.
It is very drought tolerant but grows best with an occasional deep soak in summer. Give it little water in winter.
Growers rate it from about 0°F to 20°F. Keep the soil dry in winter, since cold, wet soil is when rot sets in.
It grows as a single rosette with no pups. It blooms seldom, once, then the rosette dies.
Most agaves need no fertilizer. If you feed, use a light balanced fertilizer in spring or early summer, never on a new transplant and never in fall or winter. No pruning is needed.
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.
How big does Mountain Agave get?
It grows about 3 to 5 feet tall and 3 to 5 feet wide as a single rosette. It grows at a moderate pace.
Does Mountain Agave need shade in Phoenix?
In the low desert, plant it in part shade. It can take full sun elsewhere, but here it does better with shade in the afternoon.
How cold hardy is Mountain Agave?
It is very tolerant of cold, with ratings from about 20°F down to 0°F. A Valley winter will not hurt it, so it needs no frost cover.
How far apart should I plant it?
Plant about 4 to 6 feet apart, center to center. The Spacing tab on this page counts plants for your bed.
Does Mountain Agave make pups?
No. It grows as a single, solitary rosette, so there are no pups to pull.
How often should I water it?
It is very drought tolerant once rooted. It grows best with an occasional deep soak in the warm months, and little or none in winter. Let the soil dry out in between.
Does Mountain Agave bloom?
It blooms once, late in life, and then dies. The flower stalk rises from the center like a huge asparagus spear, about 12 to 16 feet tall. Since it makes no pups, plan on a new plant then.
Why does it have patterns on the leaves?
The large teeth on each leaf press into the leaves next to them as they unfold. That leaves imprints on the inner leaves.
Are the teeth sharp?
Yes. The leaf edges carry large reddish-brown teeth and each leaf ends in a stout spine. Keep it back from walks, seating and pools.
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.
Can snout weevils get Mountain Agave?
The agave snout weevil can attack almost any agave. Watch for wilting leaves and a plant that rocks loose. Good drainage and not overwatering help most.
Mountain Agave for sale in Arizona, delivered to you
Mountain Agave is a green agave from high in the mountains of northeastern Mexico, known for its artichoke shape and big teeth. It is very tolerant of cold, heat and drought. Below is what to expect from it in the Valley, from shade and water to size, spacing 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.
Does Mountain Agave need shade in Phoenix?
Yes, in the low desert plant it in part shade. Morning sun with afternoon shade, or light tree shade, suits it. It can take full sun in cooler places.
How big does Mountain Agave get?
It grows about 3 to 5 feet tall and 3 to 5 feet wide. It stays a single rosette and slowly takes on an artichoke shape.
How far apart do you plant Mountain Agave?
Plant about 4 to 6 feet apart center to center. The Spacing tab on this page counts plants for your bed.
How cold hardy is Mountain Agave?
It is very tolerant of cold, with ratings from about 20°F down to 0°F. It grows wild up to 9,000 feet in the mountains of northeastern Mexico.
Does Mountain Agave make pups?
No. It is a solitary agave with no pups. It blooms once, late in life, on a tall asparagus-like stalk, and then dies.
How much water does Mountain Agave need?
It is very drought tolerant once rooted. An occasional deep soak in the warm months keeps it growing well. Water little or not at all in winter.
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.