Agave univittata aka Mc Kelvey's Century Plant

Agave univittata, or striped agave, is an evergreen succulent. It belongs to the Asparagaceae family and lives for years. Its native range runs from southwest Texas into Mexico. This includes the northeast and north-central parts of Mexico. In the wild, it grows in deserts and dry shrubland. People also grow it as an ornamental plant. The Ferns lists its conservation status as Least Concern.

The plant forms clumps of rosettes with thick, yellow-green leaves. Each leaf has a wavy edge lined with sharp teeth. The teeth are small and set close to each other. A short spine ends each leaf. The foliage stays on the plant through the year. Garden plants reach about 1.6–3.3 feet [0.5–1 metre] tall. Their spread falls within the same range. The RHS gives 10–20 years as the time to maturity. Mature plants may send up a tall flower spike. Its flowers have a yellow-green shade. The main rosette dies once it has finished flowering.

Grow this agave in full sun and soil that drains well. The RHS lists sandy and loamy soils as suitable choices. It accepts acid or neutral soil and tolerates drought. For plants under glass, use a cactus compost. Water well during growth, but give little water in winter. Feed with dilute liquid fertiliser three or four times during growth. The RHS rates it H2, so it cannot survive freezing. In Britain, a sunny outdoor spot suits it in summer. Move it into a greenhouse or conservatory for winter.

Its clumped leaf form suits pots, patios, and courtyard gardens. The RHS also lists gravel, coastal, and informal garden settings. Greenhouses and conservatories provide space for it where winters are cold. It needs no pruning, and diseases are rarely a problem. Scale insects may attack it. Grow new plants from seed or remove offsets. Spring and autumn are the seasons the RHS recommends for offsets. The leaves can irritate skin, so wear gloves when handling them. Eating the plant can harm dogs and cats.

This species also supplies fibre for rope and cord. Its leaf fibre is coarse, strong, and stiff. Boiling the leaves and scraping away pulp frees the fibre. People use the plant to make mezcal, a distilled drink. They bake mature hearts, then mash, ferment, and distil them. This processed use does not establish that raw parts are safe. The Ferns reports no known medicinal uses for this species.