Foxtail agave (spineless century plant) Agave attenuata
Foxtail agave (spineless century plant) (Agave attenuata) is an evergreen perennial shrub in the Asparagaceae family, native to Highlands of Jalisco, Mexico. It grows 1–1.5 m (3.3–4.9 ft) tall and 1.2–2 m (3.9–6.6 ft) wide, wants part sun to part shade and low water, and is hardy to about -2 °C (28 °F). Space plants about 1.2 m (3.9 ft) apart.
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Foxtail agave (spineless century plant) at a glance
| Type | Perennial shrub, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Asparagaceae |
| Mature height | 1–1.5 m (3.3–4.9 ft) |
| Mature spread | 1.2–2 m (3.9–6.6 ft) |
| Spacing | 1.2 m (3.9 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 4 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6–8 |
| Cold hardiness | About -2 °C (28 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 9) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 40 °C (104 °F) |
| Flowering | about 417–782 weeks after planting, for 6–10 weeks |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Highlands of Jalisco, Mexico |
| Common in gardens of | 🇺🇸 United States, 🇦🇺 Australia, 🇿🇦 South Africa, 🇪🇸 Spain, 🇵🇹 Portugal, 🇮🇹 Italy, 🇲🇽 Mexico, 🇮🇱 Israel, 🇳🇿 New Zealand |
Is Foxtail agave (spineless century plant) 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 Foxtail agave (spineless century plant)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and low water.
Questions about Foxtail agave (spineless century plant)
- How far apart should I plant Foxtail agave (spineless century plant)?
- About 1.2 m (3.9 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 1.2–2 m (3.9–6.6 ft).
- Does Foxtail agave (spineless century plant) need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 4 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Foxtail agave (spineless century plant) need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Foxtail agave (spineless century plant)?
- It tolerates about -2 °C (28 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9.
- When does Foxtail agave (spineless century plant) flower?
- About 417–782 weeks after planting, for 6–10 weeks.
- Is Foxtail agave (spineless century plant) 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 Foxtail agave (spineless century plant)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Foxtail agave (spineless century plant). Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden
- 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.
- Soft, spineless, pale blue-green rosettes on short trunks, unusually tolerant of light shade. After about ten years a rosette sends up a huge arching spike of greenish-yellow flowers like a fox’s tail, then dies, leaving offsets and plantlets. Frost-tender.
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