Agave victoriae-reginae aka Royal Agave

Agave victoriae-reginae, also known as the Queen Victoria agave or royal agave, is a small succulent perennial plant native to the Chihuahuan Desert in Mexico. It is highly appreciated as an ornamental due to its striking sculptured geometrical leaves, which are green with distinct white markings along the leaf keels or margins. The rosettes of this agave are compact and grow up to 0.5m in height. The leaves are short, rigid, and thick, with the terminus often adorned with 1 to 3 spines. Cream-colored flowers are borne in tall, erect racemes that can reach up to 4m in length. This agave species is cold-hardy and finds favor as a decorative accent in gardens, particularly in northerly regions. In the UK, it is recommended to keep this plant in heated conditions under glass during winter. When grown as a houseplant, it thrives in porous, sandy soil with direct sunlight or bright shade. It requires infrequent watering, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings. Propagation is typically done by seed, as basal shoots are rare. Agave victoriae-reginae has gained recognition for its attributes and is the recipient of the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. Additionally, a study focused on this species revealed its morphological and anatomical adaptations for seed hydro-dispersion, with flattened seeds that can be dispersed during flood events in canyon walls.