Plants form a tight rosette of short, wide, grey-green leaves with a contrasting reddish-brown margins and teeth and ending in a sharp black terminal spine. Agaves bloom once just before they die, but it takes about 15-20 years of growth for artichoke agave to sprout a 10-20 foot branching stalk with clusters of reddish buds that open into lemon-yellow flowers that the hummingbirds adore. By then you’ll have many pups to continue the circle of life.
This agave has survived outdoors in winter at Vinland Valley Nursery! Sharp drainage is a must, but it is possible to create an outdoor southwest garden in Kansas. Plants can also be wintered indoors.