The most important at a glance

Differences between different agave species

While certain varieties of agave, for example in Mexico, have economic value for the The extraction of sisal or the production of tequila are more convincing than other agave varieties simple Care in the garden as well as an attractive look. Important distinguishing features of the agaves are, for example, the following parameters:

• Size and speed of growth
• Color of the leaves
• Inflorescence height
• Sensitivity to frost
• Thorns on the tips and edges of the leaves

It can make sense to choose agave species that tend to grow compactly for cultivation on the windowsill. In the mild areas of Central Europe, on the other hand, it can be attractive, especially hardy agaves with suitable winter protection in a suitable location outdoors overwinter.

Agave americana

In the past, this type of agave was often referred to as “centenarian agave”, but can usually bloom when it is around 10 to 20 years old. The blue-green leaves of this very large agave species can in some cases grow up to two meters each. Since this agave is not

is hardy, the culture offers itself in a not to little heated winter garden or in a stairwell with a lot of daylight. Growing in the garden can become increasingly difficult over the years, as amateur gardeners benefit from the prickly plant Great challenges are faced when transporting them to the winter quarters and back to the garden pending. There are also extremely decorative subspecies of the Agave americana with yellow leaf margins.

Agave victoriae-reginae

The so-called king agave is often grown on the windowsill because it grows much more compactly than the agave americana. In this agave species, too, the leaf tips have very pointed end spines that are potentially dangerous for children and pets. You should be patient enough with this type of agave, as sometimes only a few leaves grow each year and size growth is therefore very slow. In return, however, a very regular, hemispherical leaf rosette is formed from dark green leaves up to 15 cm long.

Agave filifera

This agave species is one of the medium-sized agaves and can therefore also be used indoors or seasonally in pot can be cultivated on the terrace. The species is often referred to as a thread agave or thread-bearing agave, as white threads hang down from the light edges of the stiff green leaves. In contrast, there are the black tips on the leaves of this agave species.