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New Mexico Agave

New Mexico (Agave neomexicana) also called century plant or mescal is native to southern New Mexico.  New Mexico Agave grows as a rosette with broad gray green leaf blades.


The tip of each leaf blade has one long burgundy colored terminal spine. Each leaf blade also has short burgundy colored downward curving marginal spines.


New Mexico Agave grows slowly increasing in diameter annually with some specimens reaching about 3’ wide and 2’-2.5’ tall.


New Mexico Agave flowers once in its lifetime sending up a tall


thick stalked


candelabra-like flower panicle.


Flowers are usually red (or yellow) in color opening to yellow at maturity. Flowers are attractive to hummingbirds. New Mexico Agave may grow for 8-20 years of more before flowering.



This massive spectacular flower stalk is the plants last act as the mother plant then dies.


Although the mother plant dies after flowering, she also reproduces vegetatively leaving at her base from one to several young agaves called pups. These can be left to grow in place or dug-up and moved to a more favorable location to reduce crowding.


New Mexico Agave is best grown in full sun with low water on a well-drained soil. It is Hardy to USDA zone 5. Contact Trees That Please Nursery for more information and pricing.

Experience the beauty of the New Mexico Agave by clicking on the link below: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXKXMkpdsYM&feature=plcp


Photos & Narrative By:
Stephen Sain
Staff Plant Physiologist

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