Agave chiapensis / 10 seeds

Agave stricta is an evergreen succulent native to the Tehuacan Valley in northern Puebla and southern Oaxaca in Southern Mexico.

Its rosettes are formed of narrow leaves with no marginal spines, but tipped with dark spines and may develop a red hue in the spring and summer. In the summer, the plant sends out 2m (7feet) long racemes of reddish-purple flowers which last till late fall. Agave stricta is among the few non-monocarpic agaves (just like A. striata).

The plant is also known to develop pincushion-like offsets while growing. The epithet stricta in the name is a Latin word meaning erect or upright. The plant has gained the Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society. This hardy succulent plant tends to grow in high deserts and on cliffs. If stressed (especially cold, drought or strong sun), the basal leaves and tips of Agave stricta may turn deep red in color and look very attractive on any landscape. The base of this plant forms hundreds of tight leaves to further fill in the round shape of this lovely succulent.

Agave stricta is often confused with Agave striata, but the latter is larger and is blue green in color, whereas Agave stricta is more yellow green. During their growth period, both look same. However, the leaves of Agave stricta are thinner, straighter and the plant is more heat tolerant. It’s also deer resistant.

Agave stricta usually offsets new rhizomes and forms attractive clumping colonies.

Jut like most succulents, Agave stricta loves full sun and well-drained soil and may suffer from root rot if overwatered.

Agave stricta can cope with cold and frosts, temperatures as low as -5-degree C, but can’t cope with winter wet. Hence, cover it with a rain shelter from October to March. Or else, grow in a large container that can be moved into a conservatory or greenhouse during fall.

Agave stricta requires no pruning and is generally disease-free.

Flower buds of Agave stricta are edible and are popularly used in culinary preparations in their native areas. Dried plants are used for fuel.

Agave stricta is mainly propagated via seeds, although there are other ways to go like offsets, suckers and bulbils.