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Products > Agave attenuata   Agave attenuata - Fox Tail Agave    [2nd Image] Habit and Cultural Information Category: Succulent Family: Agavaceae (Agaves) Origin: Mexico (North America) Evergreen: Yes Flower Color: Yellow Green Bloomtime: Infrequent Height: 4-5 feet Width: 4-6 feet Exposure: Sun or Shade Seaside: Yes Deer Tolerant: Yes Irrigation (H2O Info): Low Water Needs Winter Hardiness: 25-30° F May be Poisonous  (More Info): Yes Agave attenuata (Fox Tail Agave) - This Agave presents to the gardener none of the dangers that its spine-covered relatives do. Massing up to 4 to 5 feet tall by as wide with individual rosettes that may reach 4 feet wide on stout curving smooth gray stems that rise up to 4 feet tall. The wide pale green pliable leaves emerge from a tight central spear to arch gracefully back, looking a bit like large open green flower. Mature plants sends up a 5 to 10 foot vertical flower stalk that reflexes back towards the ground before arching upward again, giving this plant the common name Fox-tail agave. The flowers are a pale greenish yellow and are followed by seed pods and many new "plantlets" (or bulbils). Plant in full coastal sun to shade in moist or dry soils (looks best with regular watering). Tolerates seaside conditions but it will usually be damaged in temperatures below 28° F. We had plants survive the 1990 temperatures of 18° F but they were severely disfigured. It was reported in Gary and Mary Irish's "Agave, Yuccas and Related Plants" that the Desert Botanic Garden lost plants from temperatures of 25 °F. Protect from snails which can also disfigure the plant. This plant is a beautiful soft green which works well with other succulents or even tropical plant material. We also grow the form called 'Nova' or 'Fred Boutin Blue' which has shorter broader leaves that are a blue gray.  The description above is based on our research and observations of this plant growing in our nursery and in our own and other Santa Barbara gardens. We would appreciate hearing from anyone who has additional information or disagrees with what we have written.     [MORE INFO]