Blue Agave Plants

Tequila Plant

The spine-tipped leaves of blue agave plants are tough and fleshy. Extended drought will cause them to shrivel but they will plump back out when watered.

The bluish cast of the leaves give the plant its common name and make it a striking focal point for any dry garden. Its other common name, Tequila plant, comes from the fact that the distilled sap of this plant is used to make Tequila.

In Mexico, from whence the plant hails, only spirits distilled from Agave tequilana 'Weber Azul' may be legally labeled Tequila. Though there are other blue agaves from which other traditional Mexican beverages are produced.

Plants are large, sometimes growing to 6 feet in height. When they reach maturity (5-8 years), plants shoot a flower stalk (which is often harvested and cooked) about 15 feet into the air. This stalk will produce yellow flowers which, if pollinated by a certain Mexican bat, will produce thousands of seeds.

Agave plants are male and female and reproduce sexually like Sago palms.

Like a bromeliad , once an agave blooms it will die. But before it does, it will produce several new plants around its base.

The Tequila plant is hardy in zones 9b-10. It is best planted in sandy soil that drains quickly as it is vulnerable to rot. It will be its bluest in full sun which will also help to keep fungal diseases at bay.

The most devastating enemy of blue agave plants is a glossy black beetle-like insect called the Agave Snout Weevil. The adults feed on sap from the leaves which can introduce harmful bacteria. But the worst damage is done by the larvae which infest the core and roots of agave plants causing them to wilt and collapse.

Fortunately, this insect is rarely seen outside of agave's native range.

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