Plant Min Zone: 6b
Plant Max Zone: 10b
Sunlight: All Day Full Sun, Full Sun
Water / Rainfall: Very Low
Soil Quality: Poor
Bloom Season: None
Flower Color: None
Berry / Fruit Color: None
Spring Foliage Color: Green
Summer Foliage Color: Green
Fall Foliage Color: Green
Evergreen Foliage: Yes
Winter Interest: Yes
Scented Flowers: No
Drought Tolerance: High
Wet-Feet Tolerance: Low
Humidity Tolerance: Medium
Wind Tolerance: High
Poor Soil Tolerance: Rocky Soils, Sandy Soils, Shallow Soils, Alkaline Soils (high PH)
Height: 1' - 2'
Width: 1' - 2'
Growth Rate: Extremely Slow
Service Life: Medium: 3-5 years
Maintenance Need: Almost Zero Maintenance
Spreading Potential: Extremely Low
Yearly Trimming Tips: Yuccas and Cacti Need No Trimming Except to Remove the Dead Flower Stalk.
Plant Grouping Size: Specimen Planting of 1-3, Small Grouping of 3-5
Best Side of House: South Exposure, West Exposure
Extreme Planting Locations: Survives Under Roof Overhang, Survives Severe Drought, Tolerates Extreme Heat, Resistant to Rabbits, Crevice Gardens
Ornamental Features: Multiple Seasons of Interest, Exceptional / Colorful Foliage
Special Landscape Uses: None
Possible Pest Problems: Foliage Disease, Stem/Crown Disease, Root Rot Disease
Plant Limitations: Needs Excellent Drainage
This hardy agave came to us from Yucca Pointe Nursery in Stillwater, OK where it grows outside in the owner Nathan Priest's display garden. (Agave toumeyana) make an excellent architectural statement. Used as a patio plant in Kansas, place in full sun with no extra watering except from rainfall. Repotting may or may not be needed depending on how large you want the plant to grow. Potted plants are hardy to at least 15 degrees F if kept dry so you can wait awhile to move these in for the winter. Then move into a cold garage, basement, or window over the winter with NO watering. Luckily monocarpic flowering will never occur in a potted agave so you don't have to worry about death after flowering. A suggestion to make this plant a lot more safe around your eyeballs is to clip the new spines off as the new leaves slowly unfurl. Although un-tested in Lawrence, KS (zone 6a), this agave could survive in a microclimate under a south facing roof overhang kept completely dry in the winter and controlled water in the summer. As a winter-only house plant, it will look presentable all winter long with just no waterings. As a permanent house plant, provide bright light and allow the soil to dry between waterings for many years of carefree enjoyment. We are testing this outside in our crevice garden among other hardy cacti and succulents! We will keep you posted. (2024)