Agave fourcroydes aka Yucatan Sisal

Agave fourcroydes is an evergreen succulent known as henequen. Mexican sisal is another name for this plant. It belongs to the asparagus family, Asparagaceae. Kew lists its native range from southern Mexico to Guatemala. Useful Tropical Plants says it occurs only in cultivation. The Maya grew it as a fibre crop long ago. Growers still raise it for fibre, mainly in Mexico.

The plant forms a rosette of leaves above a stout stem. Garden references give a height and spread of 6 feet [1.8 metres]. It grows at a medium rate and keeps its leaves year-round. The supporting stem reaches about 3.3–5.6 feet [1–1.7 metres]. It can measure about 10 inches [0.25 metres] across. Mature leaves reach 3.3–5.9 feet [1–1.8 metres], sometimes more. Each leaf measures about 3–5 inches [0.08–0.12 metres] wide.

Near the end of its life, a rosette sends up a flower stalk. This reaches 16–23 feet [5–7 metres] and bears yellow flowers. The rosette dies after bloom, but its offsets keep growing. PFAF cites a report that the plant is sterile. That report says its ovaries do not form seeds. Growers can plant bulbils, which are small plantlets. Commercial growers favour the frequent suckers because they develop faster.

Henequen needs full sun and soil that drains well. It grows in sand, loam, or clay, including poor soil. It accepts dry or moist ground and withstands drought. Its preferred soil pH is 6.5–7.5, with tolerance from 6–8. It suits the drier tropics and warm growing conditions. Best daytime temperatures fall between 15 and 30°C. Temperatures of −5°C or below can cause damage. PFAF lists USDA zones 10–12 for outdoor growing.

In Cuba, growers use the plant for hedges and living fences. Leaf fibre supplies rope, nets, floor coverings, and crop-binding string. Growers first harvest leaves after four to six years. Later, they can harvest leaves twice each year. The roots contain saponins and serve as a soap substitute. PFAF records medicinal use but gives no specific treatment. It lists no known food use or hazards. Useful Tropical Plants, however, records its use in distilled mezcal. Neither account establishes that raw plant parts are safe to eat.