Blue agave (tequila agave) Agave tequilana
Blue agave (tequila agave) (Agave tequilana) is an evergreen perennial vegetable in the Asparagaceae family, native to Jalisco, Mexico (known only as a cultivated plant). It grows 1.5–2 m (4.9–6.6 ft) tall and 1.5–2.5 m (4.9–8.2 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -4 °C (25 °F). Space plants about 2 m (6.6 ft) apart.
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Blue agave (tequila agave) at a glance
| Type | Perennial vegetable, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Asparagaceae |
| Mature height | 1.5–2 m (4.9–6.6 ft) |
| Mature spread | 1.5–2.5 m (4.9–8.2 ft) |
| Spacing | 2 m (6.6 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 7 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6–8 |
| Cold hardiness | About -4 °C (25 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 9) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 42 °C (108 °F) |
| Flowering | about 313–521 weeks after planting, for 4–9 weeks |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Yes: heart (piña, roasted; syrup and tequila) |
| Native to | Jalisco, Mexico (known only as a cultivated plant) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇲🇽 Mexico, 🇺🇸 United States |
Is Blue agave (tequila agave) toxic?
- People: mildly toxic
- Cats: mildly toxic
- Dogs: mildly toxic
- Parts: sap, leaf tips
The sap contains calcium oxalate crystals and saponins that cause a burning rash on skin; the leaf tips are sharp.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Blue agave (tequila agave)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
Questions about Blue agave (tequila agave)
- How far apart should I plant Blue agave (tequila agave)?
- About 2 m (6.6 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 1.5–2.5 m (4.9–8.2 ft).
- Does Blue agave (tequila agave) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 7 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Blue agave (tequila agave) need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Blue agave (tequila agave)?
- It tolerates about -4 °C (25 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9.
- When does Blue agave (tequila agave) flower?
- About 313–521 weeks after planting, for 4–9 weeks.
- Is Blue agave (tequila agave) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is mildly toxic; for dogs mildly toxic; for people mildly toxic. The sap contains calcium oxalate crystals and saponins that cause a burning rash on skin; the leaf tips are sharp.
- What grows well with Blue agave (tequila agave)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Blue agave (tequila agave). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- GRIN-Global Taxonomy, USDA ARS
- LLIFLE Encyclopedia of Cacti and Succulents, LLIFLE (Living Encyclopedia), Italy
Notes and assumptions
- A plant of dry, sunny places: grow it in gritty, free-draining soil and water deeply but rarely; cold and wet together kill it faster than frost or drought.
- A spiky blue-grey rosette grown on hundreds of thousands of hectares in Jalisco. After 6–8 years the jimadores cut off the leaves and harvest the heart (piña), which is roasted and fermented for tequila. Farms grow it only from offsets, so the crop is almost one clone and very vulnerable to disease.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Asparagus Asparagus officinalis
- Lily of the valley Convallaria majalis
- Hosta Hosta spp.
- Hyacinth Hyacinthus orientalis
- Grape hyacinth Muscari armeniacum
- Common bluebell Hyacinthoides non-scripta
- Tuberose Agave amica (Polianthes tuberosa)
- Century plant (agave) Agave americana