Agave ovatifolia (Whale’s Tongue Agave)

Surprisingly cold hardy, Agave ovatifolia (Whale’s Tongue Agave) is an evergreen, perennial succulent forming a solitary rounded rosette of thick, broad, slightly cupped, gray to powdery-blue leaves. Adding interesting texture and interest year-round, the leaves are lined with small teeth along their margins and tipped with a long terminal spine. Mature plants (over 10 years) flower only once. They are topped with a magnificent flowering spike that can reach 14 ft. (4m), and bears dense clusters of yellow-green flowers. The flowering rosette dies after flowering. While this Agave doesn’t produce offsets, like many Agave species, it does reproduce via seed and bulbils after flowering.

• Grows up to 3-4 ft. tall (90-120 cm) and 4-6 ft. wide (120-180 cm). May reach 14 ft. (4 m) with flower stalk. 
• Easily grown in well-drained soils in full sun to light shade. Drought tolerant once established but grows much larger when given regular irrigation. 
• Great for coastal gardens, city gardens, rock gardens, succulent gardens or Mediterranean gardens. Ideal as an accent plant in sunny borders or in decorative containers.
• Plant away from foot traffic: the needle-sharp spines on the leaf tips can be a hazard to humans and pets. Don’t plant this Agave near paths or walkways
• Attracts hummingbirds and birds but is deer resistant
• Virtually disease free. Watch for scale insects.
• Propagate by seed in early spring
• Use caution, safety glasses, long sleeves, long pants, well covered shoes, and gloves when cutting this plant.
• Native to the Nuevo León region in northeastern Mexico