I am a large, stemless, monocarpic succulent that forms a massive, open rosette, reaching up to 2 meters (6 feet) across at maturity.

My most distinctive feature is my long, sword-shaped, blue-gray leaves that are often covered in a powdery bloom (glaucous coating). Each leaf has sharp, dark brown teeth along the margins and ends in a long, sharp, black terminal spine.

I am the heart of the tequila industry. My large core, or "piña," is harvested, roasted, and fermented to produce the spirit.

After 8-15+ years, I send up a gigantic, asparagus-like flower stalk up to 6 meters (20 feet) tall, covered in yellow flowers, before dying (monocarpic).

I am native to the arid highlands of Jalisco, Mexico, and surrounding states.

I am extremely drought-tolerant. My water needs are minimal once established.

Use the "soak and dry" method infrequently. Water deeply only when the soil has been completely dry for a long period. In-ground plants in arid climates may need no supplemental water.

Overwatering is fatal. I am highly susceptible to crown and root rot. Perfect drainage is absolutely non-negotiable.

In winter, I need almost no water.

I am a full sun absolutist. I require maximum, unfiltered sunlight all day long to thrive and develop my characteristic blue color.

I cannot tolerate shade. Insufficient sun leads to weak, floppy, greenish growth and increased susceptibility to disease.

I am built for the intense, direct sun of the Mexican highlands.

I thrive in hot, arid climates and am best suited to USDA zones 9-11.

My ideal range is 18°C to 32°C, but I can tolerate higher temperatures.

I can handle brief, light frosts down to -3°C if the soil is perfectly dry, but prolonged freezing or wet cold is lethal.

I am a landscape monument for xeriscapes, desert gardens, and large containers. Give me ample space—at least 2-3 meters from paths and structures due to my sharp spines.

Plant in extremely well-draining, sandy or rocky, gravelly soil. Amend heavily with pumice or coarse sand if needed.

Ensure the planting site or container has perfect drainage. My crown must sit above soil level.

Handle with extreme caution using heavy gloves and protective clothing. My spines are dangerously sharp.

I am an exceptionally light feeder. In native soil, I need no fertilizer.

In very poor, cultivated soil, a single application of a low-nitrogen, cactus-specific fertilizer in early spring is maximum.

Over-fertilizing causes weak, unnatural growth and reduces my stress-tolerant qualities.

Scientific Name: Agave tequilana (Weber's Blue Agave)

Common Names: Tequila Agave, Weber's Blue Agave

Plant Family: Asparagaceae

Plant Type: Monocarpic perennial succulent

My sharp spines pose a severe puncture and laceration risk. The sap is a skin irritant and, if ingested in large quantities, can be toxic to pets due to saponins, causing gastrointestinal upset. The physical danger is the primary concern.

As a large, outdoor plant, I contribute to carbon sequestration and oxygen production in the landscape, but my role is not indoor air purification.