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| Photo Credit: James H. Schutte |
| Whether used indoors as a houseplant or outdoors as a small accent or border plant, Agave victoria-reginae is a real winner. |
Just looking at an agave can make you feel like you’re smack dab in the middle of the desert. Their spikey, dramatically sculptural succulent leaves evoke images of endless sand and unrelenting sun. Loosely called century plants or maguey, Agave is one group of desert plants that gardeners in colder and wetter climates simply envy. And the fascinating long leaves and interesting coloration make it a gardener’s prize!
Native to the Southwest and arid West, these succulents aren’t very cold hardy. In fact, the vast majority does best in the dry, hot regions of the southernmost US. That means areas like Southern California, Arizona, New Mexico, south Texas and Florida – USDA hardiness zones 8-9, as long as it isn’t too wet. | Add Photo to Journal |  | | Photo Credit: Terra Nova Nurseries Inc. | | The polka dots on this Terra Nova Nurseries introduction give this agave its name: Spots. |
Masters of efficient water use, agaves will rot in wet conditions. It’s “the drier the better” for these beauties. In all but the hottest regions, they should be put where they can get the most intense, beating afternoon sun. If there’s a wall or some pavement to reflect the heat, so much the better! Rarely is it too brutal for these tough guys.
But a handful of agave varieties are even tougher – actually doing well in colder climates as far north as USDA hardiness Zone 5. Some good cold-hardy selections to try include A. havardiana, A. neomexicana, A. parryi (Flagstaff form), A. toumeyana var. bella and A. utahensis subsp. kaibabensis. Just be sure to plant these beauties in dry, very sunny sites with good drainage for the best results.
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