Fox Tail Agave
(Agave attenuata)
Fox Tail Agave (Agave attenuata)
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Drew Avery
CC BY 2.0
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Drew Avery
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CC BY 2.0
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Photo by: Drew Avery | License Type: CC BY 2.0 | License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0 | Uploader: File Upload Bot (Magnus Manske) | Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Title: Foxtail_Agave_-_agave_attenuata_(3646959518).jpg | Notes: Uploaded own work with UploadWizard |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Agave attenuata, commonly known as Fox Tail Agave, is a perennial succulent native to the central plateau of Mexico, where it thrives in the mild climates of rocky outcrops and canyons. This unarmed agave is notable for its smooth, pale green leaves that form a rosette and its distinctive curved inflorescence, which resembles a fox’s tail and can reach heights of up to 10 feet. The plant blooms with dense clusters of greenish-yellow flowers after several years, signaling the end of its life cycle, but it readily produces offsets to continue its lineage.
Fox Tail Agave is valued for its architectural form and is often used in ornamental plantings in subtropical and warm climates. It provides a dramatic focal point in xeriscapes, rock gardens, and modern landscape designs. While it can tolerate some drought, it prefers occasional watering and well-draining loamy soil. It requires protection from intense midday sun and frost, making it suitable for USDA Zone 9b and above. In cultivation, it can be grown in full sun to part shade, but in hotter regions, some afternoon shade is beneficial to prevent leaf scorch.CC BY-SA 4.0
Fox Tail Agave is valued for its architectural form and is often used in ornamental plantings in subtropical and warm climates. It provides a dramatic focal point in xeriscapes, rock gardens, and modern landscape designs. While it can tolerate some drought, it prefers occasional watering and well-draining loamy soil. It requires protection from intense midday sun and frost, making it suitable for USDA Zone 9b and above. In cultivation, it can be grown in full sun to part shade, but in hotter regions, some afternoon shade is beneficial to prevent leaf scorch.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Succulent
- Height: 2-3 feet
- Width: 3-4 feet
- Growth Rate: Slow
- Flower Color: Yellow, Green
- Flowering Season: Summer
- Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water: Very Low, Low
- Drainage: Fast
Common Uses
Bank Stabilization, Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Border Plant, Drought Tolerant, Fire Resistant, Hummingbird Garden, Low Maintenance, Potted Plant, Rabbit Resistant, Rock Garden, Salt Tolerant, Showy Flowers, Street Planting
Natural Habitat
Central plateau of Mexico, thriving in rocky outcrops and canyons
Other Names
Common Names: Foxtail, Lion’s Tail, Drachenbaum-Agave, Drakagave
Scientific Names: , Agave attenuata,
GBIF Accepted Name: Agave attenuata Salm-Dyck