Accession Count: 24
Common Name:
'Blue Glow' agave
Family Name:
Asparagaceae
Botanical Name:
Agave x
Sub Species:
Variety:
Forma:
Cultivar:
'Blue Glow'
Characteristics:
Agave ‘Blue Glow’ is a hybrid resulting from a cross between Agave attenuata and Agave ocahui, both from northern/central Mexico (1,3,4,5,6). It is a slow-growing rosette forming succulent. It grows to be 0.75-1.0 m (2-3 ft) in height and width, and does not produce pups/suckers at the base (1,4,5). Leaves are smooth, blue-green and blade shaped with a signature yellow and red strip along the margins and a stout, red terminal spike (1, 2, 3, 4, 5,6). The characteristic yellow-red margin creates a a beautiful glowing effect when backlit by the sun (1,2,3,4,5,6). This plant is monocarpic meaning it will bloom once at the end of its life – usually after 10-15 years (1,4, 6). At that time, it produces a 3 m (10 ft) tall stalk covered with small greenish-white flowers with long red stamens (1,4).
Compound:
Aga x blu
Geographic Origin:
Ecozone Origin:
Biome Origin:
Natural History:
A . attenuata and A. ocahui were bred to combine traits of these plants by Kelly Griffin of Rancho Soledad Nursuries in Santa Fe, California (4,5,6). The progeny was selected to have tougher leaves, smaller size, and to retain the sharp terminal spine, and the colorful leaf margin strip of the A. ocahui parent (4,5,6).
Cultivation Notes:
Propagation from seed produces seedling that vary from the cultivar since this is a hybrid plant (5). Asexual propagation is possible but is more difficult thant with manyother agaveagaves because this plant does not produce adventitious pups. For this reason, growers often employ tissue culture propagation to produce this agave. Once established, the cultivar is best grown in slightly alkaline, sandy, well drained soils in full or lightly filtered sun (2,4,5). While this plant is drought-resistant and pest-resistant, is susceptible to root rot from overwatering. (4,5,6)
Ethnobotany:
This is a popular cultivar of agave valued for its dark blue-green color and fine yellow-red leaf margins that give the plant a "glowing appearance" when back lit. It is mildly poisonous to humans and pets.
Height:
0 - 5 feet
Width:
0 - 5 feet
Growth Rate:
Slow Growing
Grow Season:
ForeSummer
Flower Season:
Summer
Color:
Green
Function:
Accent
Spread:
Non-spreading
Allergen:
Non-allergenic
Invasive:
Benign
Toxicity:
Toxic
Hardy:
Hardy
Water Use:
Low water Use
