Agave

plus, Furcraeaspecies and cultivars

The agaves have really been rediscovered in recent years as landscapers search for easy-care plants with strong sculptural lines for use in gardens or as container specimens.

In the ground, little or no supplemental watering will be required. Like many other drought-tolerant plants, however, this group has potential to become environmental weeds in some areas, so take care. If in doubt, consult appropriate local authorities.

Looking for more information about growing Agave or other plants in Queensland? Due to the demise of online advertising and the risk of appropriation by AI bots and others, most of the in-depth information intended for these webpages is now being directed towards the email publication (mini-magazine) Get Results Gardening. If you live in Australia, ask for a free trial. Go to calyx.com.au/getresultsgardening.html for more information.

Agaves in the landscape

These photographs are provided to help you identify agave-type plants you might have. They should also should help you understand the way they grow and flower and indicate the kind of landscape situations you might use them in. All photographs taken in Brisbane. Click for larger images.

Agave attenuata

 

  

  

Agave desmettiana

  

  

  

Agave geminiflora

  

Furcraea foetida

This is an agave-like plant with quite slender leaves. You may have seen it recently in Balinese-style or other modern tropical gardens, particularly in its variegated form (F. foetida 'Mediopicta'). Actually, it was at one time classified as an agave (A. foetida or A. gigantea) and is still in the same family (Agavaceae). You may also see it listed as Furcraea gigantea. The common name of Mauritius Hemp alludes to its use as a fibre crop.

  

  

News Items

¡Agave!

The world's most famous agave product is, of course, tequila. The name is regulated, however. Officially, spirits labelled tequila should only be made in approved districts in Mexico using the 'Weber Azul' variety of Agave tequilana, also known as the blue agave. However, the carbohydrate-rich plant can be fermented anywhere it can be grown and the ethanol produced has many uses beyond the obvious one. The blue agave is currently being trialled on the Atherton Tablelands in Far North Queensland. A report on the pilot farm and ethanol plant confirm that this is a crop with great potential for semi-arid Australia. Agave has significant advantages over sugarcane and corn as a source of biofuel. It doesn't compete with food production and is far more water efficient. The study also indicated lower risks to aquatic ecosystems compared to sugarcane. Associate Professor Daniel Tan (pictured left with some of the plants growing in Ayr, Qld) says that although falling oil prices do affect the economic viability of biofuel operations right now, the new demand for ethanol-based healthcare products - notably hand sanitisers - could change that. Source: 'Tequila' powered biofuels more efficient than corn or sugar, University of Sydney (April, 2020)

Dry Tequila

Like many other plants adapted to arid habitats, the tequila agave uses Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM) to be able to photosynthesise while avoid opening its stomates during the day. Genetic analysis of tequila has indicated that CAM plants and regular plants have the same genes regulating these processes, it's the timing with which these genes are switched on and off. Scientists speculate that if the triggers can be identified, it may be possible to induce this water-saving mechanism in mainstream crop plants. Source: How tequila could be key in our battle against climate change (December 2016)

Saline soils have crop potential with  Agave

Agave species could extend farming into hot, arid areas, producing a variety of edible and non-edible commercial products, but salinity could be a problem. When four types of Agave were tested, however, two species (Agave parryi and Agave weberi) performed well enough to demonstrate potential for cropping in saline soils. Source: Impacts of salinity determined for Agave (March 2016)

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