Sisal

(Agave sisalana)

Sisal (Agave sisalana)

Kenneth Foster

CC BY 4.0

Image By: Kenneth Foster

Recorded By:

Copyright Notice: Photo by: Kenneth Foster | License Type: CC BY 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | Occurence ID: https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/2423541422 | Publisher: Atlas of Living Australia |

Estimated Native Range

Summary

Agave sisalana, commonly known as Sisal, is an evergreen succulent native to arid environments in Southeast Mexico. It thrives in areas with well-drained soils, often in regions that other crops find challenging. Sisal plants form a rosette of sword-shaped leaves that can reach 1.5 to 2 meters (4 ft 11 in to 6 ft 7 in) in height. The leaves are typically green with a silver touch and may have small teeth along the margins when young, which disappear as they mature. The plant has a 7- to 10-year lifespan, during which it can produce 200–250 commercially viable leaves. Sisal is notable for its fibrous leaves, which are harvested for their strong, durable fibers used in various products. It blooms with yellow flowers in the summer, although the flowers are not particularly showy and are secondary to the plant’s fiber production.

Sisal is valued for its low water requirements, making it suitable for xeriscaping and arid garden designs. It is commonly used for its fibers in the production of rope, twine, and a variety of other materials, including paper, cloth, footwear, hats, bags, carpets, geotextiles, and dartboards. In cultivation, it requires full sun and well-drained soil, tolerating a range of soil types from sandy to rocky. While it is generally pest-resistant, it can be susceptible to weevil infestations, which can damage the plant and reduce fiber quality. Due to its robust nature, sisal can become invasive in suitable climates outside its native range, so care should be taken to manage its spread.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

Plant Type: Succulent
Height: 4-6 feet
Width: 6-7 feet
Growth Rate: Rapid
Flower Color: Yellow, Green
Flowering Season: Summer
Leaf Retention: Evergreen

Growth Requirements

Sun: Full Sun
Water: Very Low, Low
Drainage: Fast

Common Uses

Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Drought Tolerant, Edible*Disclaimer: Easyscape's listed plant edibility is for informational use. Always verify the safety and proper identification of any plant before consumption., Fire Resistant, Hummingbird Garden, Low Maintenance, Rabbit Resistant, Rock Garden, Showy Flowers

Natural Habitat

Native to arid environments in Southeast Mexico

Other Names

Common Names: Maguey De Sisal, Sisal Hemp, Agave, Century Plant, Dali, Garingboom, Hemp-Plant, Malina, Mescal, Natali

Scientific Names: , Agave sisalana, Agave rigida var. sisalana, Agave amaniensis, Agave rigida subsp. sisalana, Agave sisalana f. armata, Agave sisalana var. armata, Agave segurae, Agave sisalana subsp. armata, Furcraea sisaliana,

GBIF Accepted Name: Agave sisalana Perrine