Flowers and Plants
Gardening Guides
Agave Weberi’s Spiky Leaves Stand Out in Drought-Tolerant Gardens
Weber’s agave is a Southwestern native that tolerates heat and cold, enhancing gardens of various styles
Agave species come in many sizes, colors and shapes. Weber’s agave (Agave weberi) is a medium-size to large agave that adds substantial presence to the residential garden. Its attractive sage-green spiky leaves gently arch toward the ground and are arranged in the classic rosette shape characteristic of agave species, adding geometric beauty to the landscape.
As an accent plant, Weber’s agave brings welcome texture to the landscape, whether planted against a wall, surrounded by ground covers or planted alongside large boulders. Like all agaves, it sends forth an impressive flowering stalk toward the end of its life. This succulent does well in drought-tolerant gardens and easily handles the intense heat of Southwestern summers as well as winter temperatures down to 10 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 12.2 degrees Celsius.
As an accent plant, Weber’s agave brings welcome texture to the landscape, whether planted against a wall, surrounded by ground covers or planted alongside large boulders. Like all agaves, it sends forth an impressive flowering stalk toward the end of its life. This succulent does well in drought-tolerant gardens and easily handles the intense heat of Southwestern summers as well as winter temperatures down to 10 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 12.2 degrees Celsius.
A row of Weber’s agave with pink-blooming ‘Garnet’ penstemon (Penstemon ‘Garnet’) behind
Distinguishing traits. Medium-green leaves are decorated with leaf imprints from when they were pressed tightly together in the bud before spreading out. The leaf edges appear smooth from a distance but actually have small-toothed ridges that terminate at the end with a single spine. Each leaf is about 4 feet long.
Distinguishing traits. Medium-green leaves are decorated with leaf imprints from when they were pressed tightly together in the bud before spreading out. The leaf edges appear smooth from a distance but actually have small-toothed ridges that terminate at the end with a single spine. Each leaf is about 4 feet long.
Weber’s agave growing in front of a saguaro cactus (Carnegiea gigantea) and behind an upright gopher plant (Euphorbia biglandulosa)
Older leaves may be removed from the base as needed to keep a neat appearance. Small bulbils (volunteers) can appear at the base and should be removed to prevent new agaves from crowding the parent plant. These baby agaves can be replanted elsewhere if desired or used to replace the parent once it has flowered and died.
Older leaves may be removed from the base as needed to keep a neat appearance. Small bulbils (volunteers) can appear at the base and should be removed to prevent new agaves from crowding the parent plant. These baby agaves can be replanted elsewhere if desired or used to replace the parent once it has flowered and died.
A flowering Weber’s agave
Agaves flower only once, as they approach the end of their life. An agave sending up its flower stalk is spectacular to witness; it can take several months from start to finish. The stalk can grow more than a foot a day until it reaches full height, which, in the case of Weber’s agave, can be up to 20 feet high.
The life span of agaves varies depending on several factors, including the species. Some agaves live for more than 30 years, while others flower and die at 10 years of age.
Agaves flower only once, as they approach the end of their life. An agave sending up its flower stalk is spectacular to witness; it can take several months from start to finish. The stalk can grow more than a foot a day until it reaches full height, which, in the case of Weber’s agave, can be up to 20 feet high.
The life span of agaves varies depending on several factors, including the species. Some agaves live for more than 30 years, while others flower and die at 10 years of age.
Weber’s agave growing among a hillside planting of red fescue (Festuca rubra)
How to use it. For maximum impact, place Weber’s agave alongside ground covers, where the textural contrast between spiky leaves and softly mounded plants will create year-round beauty. Flowering ground covers to plant include blackfoot daisy (Melampodium leucanthum), bush morning glory (Convolvulus cneorum), damianita (Chrysactinia mexicana) and purple trailing lantana (Lantana montevidensis).
For a contemporary design, plant a row of Weber’s agave against a low retaining wall or alongside a path, or create a staggered planting. Create a stunning mixture of textures by combining it with colorful shrubby perennials such as ‘Blue Bells’ (Eremophila hygrophana ‘Blue Bells’), coral fountain (Russelia equisetiformis), flame acanthus (Anisacanthus quadrifidus var. wrightii) or Mexican bush sage (Salvia leucantha).
How to use it. For maximum impact, place Weber’s agave alongside ground covers, where the textural contrast between spiky leaves and softly mounded plants will create year-round beauty. Flowering ground covers to plant include blackfoot daisy (Melampodium leucanthum), bush morning glory (Convolvulus cneorum), damianita (Chrysactinia mexicana) and purple trailing lantana (Lantana montevidensis).
For a contemporary design, plant a row of Weber’s agave against a low retaining wall or alongside a path, or create a staggered planting. Create a stunning mixture of textures by combining it with colorful shrubby perennials such as ‘Blue Bells’ (Eremophila hygrophana ‘Blue Bells’), coral fountain (Russelia equisetiformis), flame acanthus (Anisacanthus quadrifidus var. wrightii) or Mexican bush sage (Salvia leucantha).
Planting notes. Select an area in full sun with well-drained soil. Weber’s agave can be grown in lightly filtered shade, but the growth habit will be more spread out. Allow plenty of room for them to grow to their mature size. Water twice a month in summer and monthly in spring and fall.
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Botanical name: Agave weberi
Common name: Weber’s agave
Origin: Native to Mexico; naturalized in parts of Texas
Where it will grow: Hardy to 10 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 12.2 degrees Celsius (USDA Zone 8; find your zone)
Water requirement: Low
Light requirement: Full sun to lightly filtered shade
Mature size: 4 to 6 feet tall and 6 to 8 feet wide
Benefits and tolerances: Drought-tolerant
When to plant: Spring or fall