Agave tequilana, commonly known as Blue Agave, is a perennial succulent native to arid and semiarid regions of Jalisco, Mexico, and is adapted to hot, dry climates. This plant is crucial to the local economy due to its use as the primary ingredient in tequila production. Blue Agave thrives in volcanic soils and can reach over 2 meters (7 ft) in height with spiky, fleshy leaves that are a distinctive blue-gray color. The plant’s core, or "piña," is rich in agavins (fructose sugars), essential for tequila. After 5-7 years, Blue Agave produces a tall stalk (quiote), which can grow an additional 5 meters (16 ft) and bears yellow flowers during the summer. However, in commercial cultivation, the stalk is often removed to concentrate the plant’s energy on the piña. The flowers attract pollinators like the greater long-nosed bat, insects, and hummingbirds, but many seeds are sterile, and the plant dies after flowering.

The Blue Agave is valued for its striking form and low water needs, making it suitable for xeriscaping and as an architectural feature in gardens. It requires full sun, very low water, and well-drained soils, typically volcanic in its native habitat. While it is propagated by shoots (pups) for commercial use, this practice has led to reduced genetic diversity. Gardeners should be cautious as Agave tequilana can become invasive outside its native range.CC BY-SA 4.0