Agave vilmoriniana aka Octopus Plant

Agave vilmoriniana, or octopus agave, is a perennial succulent. It belongs to the asparagus family, Asparagaceae. Its native range covers northern and western Mexico. It grows in regions with a dry season. Wild plants form colonies on volcanic cliffs and steep, rocky slopes. Its range includes southern Sonora, Sinaloa, Jalisco, and Aguascalientes. The name octopus agave refers to its long, twisting leaves.

Each plant forms a single, broad crown of fleshy leaves. It reaches about 3–4 feet [0.9–1.2 metres] tall. Its spread reaches about 5–6.6 feet [1.5–2 metres]. The narrow leaves arch out, curve back, and twist. Their colour ranges from pale blue-green to yellow-green. Each leaf can reach 3 feet [0.9 metres] long. Deep channels run along the leaves. The edges lack hard teeth but have slight, soft roughness. A fairly soft spine ends each leaf. These softer edges distinguish it from more sharply armed agaves.

Golden-yellow flowers appear from spring into summer. The flower stalk rises 10–20 feet [3–6 metres] tall. Plants usually flower at seven to fifteen years or older. Some bloom just four years after planting. Each crown flowers once, then dies. Seed capsules form after the flowers. The old stalk also carries many small plantlets, called bulbils. These can fall to the ground and take root. Bulbils provide a means of raising new plants. Growing it from seed is difficult and gives uncertain results.

Grow octopus agave in full sun or partial shade. It also tolerates shade and a wide range of soils. These include sandy ground and heavy clay. Established plants cope well with drought, though they accept regular watering. Avoid keeping the soil soaked, since excess water can cause edema. Some water during winter also suits this plant. Chicago Botanic Garden lists USDA hardiness zones 9–11. Frost can harm the leaves, so protect plants from freezing. Growth is fairly fast, and routine upkeep is light.

Its bold shape suits use as a garden specimen. For group planting, allow about 6.6 feet [2 metres] between plants. Deer tend to leave it alone. Remove the dead plant after flowering and bulbil production. The Tarahumara use the leaves as a source of soap. They beat the leaf fibres into brushes for washing clothes. They also use leaf material as shampoo. These uses do not establish that the plant is edible. The supplied sources give no clear assessment of food safety or toxicity.