Agave deserti aka Desert Agave

Agave deserti, or desert agave, is an evergreen succulent perennial. It belongs to the asparagus family, Asparagaceae. Its range spans southern California and northern Baja California, Mexico. It also reaches parts of Arizona and the Mojave Desert. It grows on sandy flats, rocky slopes, and desert washes. These sites include some of the desert's hottest, driest ground.

The plant forms low rosettes and often makes dense clumps. Garden plants reach 1.6–3.3 feet [0.5–1 m] tall. Clumps can spread 3.3–4.9 feet [1–1.5 m] wide. Individual rosettes are often smaller than these garden clumps. The plant has shallow roots and little or no stem. Its thick, stiff leaves range from grey-green to blue-grey. Sharp teeth line their edges, and strong spines tip them. Most leaves reach about 0.7–1.3 feet [0.2–0.4 m] long.

Yellow flowers open from May to July on tall, branched stalks. Some plants have red buds before the flowers open. RHS gives flower spikes of about 6.6 feet [2 m]. LLIFLE reports 8.2–14.8 feet [2.5–4.5 m], with extremes near 19.7 feet [6 m]. Hummingbirds visit the flowers. Thick-walled capsules follow and hold black seeds. Each rosette flowers once, then dies after using its stored food. Wild rosettes may grow for 50–60 years before flowering. Offsets can keep the clump alive after a rosette dies.

Give this agave full sun and soil that drains well. Sandy or loamy soil with acid to neutral pH suits it. Under glass, use cactus compost and water lightly during growth. Keep the plant dry through winter. Outdoor raised beds need full protection from winter rain. RHS rates it H6, but stresses the need for dry conditions. PFAF lists USDA zones 9–11. Its bold shape suits gravel gardens, courtyards, containers, and greenhouses. It needs no pruning. Remove offsets in spring or autumn to raise new plants. Scale insects may attack, though diseases seldom cause trouble.

People have used its tough leaf fibres for rope and mats. Other uses include nets and sewing thread. Traditional foods include cooked flowers, young flower stalks, and slow-baked hearts. Long baking turns much of the heart's carbohydrate into sugars. These food uses require preparation and do not imply raw safety. RHS warns that contact can irritate skin. It also lists the plant as harmful to dogs and cats. Wear gloves and other protective gear when handling it.