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Summary
A fleshy succulent to 2m that is grown commercially in Mexico as the base ingredient for tequila.
Physical Characteristics

Agave tequilana is an evergreen Perennial growing to 2 m (6ft) by 2 m (6ft) at a medium rate.
It is hardy to zone (UK) 10. The flowers are pollinated by Bats.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry soil and can tolerate drought.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
Agave angustifolia tequilana (F.A.C.Weber) Valenz.-Zap. & Nabhan Agave palmaris Trel. Agave pedrosana Trel. Agave pes-mulae Trel. Agave pseudotequilana Trel.
Habitats
Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Sap
Edible Uses:
The sap of the plant is concentrated to make a sugar-rich syrup known as 'Agave syrup' or 'Agave nectar'[301 ]. The sugar-rich sap is extracted from the roasted bases of the defoliated flowering stems of the plants shortly before flowering, and is then fermented and distilled into mescal and tequila[301 , 317 ].
References
Medicinal Uses
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
None known
References
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Other Uses
A fibre is obtained from the leaves[317 ]. Known as 'Jarsia', the fibres are soft enough to be used for yarn production[317 ]. The squeezed shoot axes are used to stabilize loam-bricks[317 ]. Recently, blue agave has also been suggested as a potential source of ethanol (biofuel).
Special Uses
Carbon Farming
References
Cultivation details
Agroforestry Services: Living fence Management: Standard Regional Crop Staple Crop: Basic Starch Staple Crop: Sugar
Requires a sunny position[423 ]. Requires a well-drained soil[423 ]. Succeeds in poor soils[423 ]. Established plants are very drought tolerant[423 ]. The plant favors altitudes of more than 1,500 metres (5,000 ft) and grows in rich and sandy soils. A monocarpic species - the plant lives for a number of years without flowering but dies once it does flower. However, it normally produces plenty of suckers during its life and these continue growing, taking about 10 - 15 years in a warm climate, considerably longer in colder ones, before flowering[11 ]. The cultivar 'Azul', or blue agave, is preferred for tequila production[301 ]. Specimens have been recorded living up to 50 years in gardens. Blue agaves sprout a stalk (quiote) when about five years old that can grow an additional 5 metres (16ft); they are topped with yellow flowers. The stalk is cut off from commercial plants so the plant will put more energy into the heart.
Carbon Farming
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Agroforestry Services: Living fence
Simply managed rows of shrubs and trees.
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Management: Standard
Plants grow to their standard height. Harvest fruit, seeds, or other products. Non-Destructive management systems.
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Regional Crop
These crops have been domesticated and cultivated regionally but have not been adopted elsewhere and are typically not traded globally, Examples in this broad category include perennial cottons and many nuts and staple fruits.
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Staple Crop: Basic Starch
The Carbon Farming Solution. Eric Toensmeier.
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Staple Crop: Sugar
Perennial sugar crops include sugarcane and compare favorably to annuals.
References
Temperature Converter
Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:
Fahrenheit:
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Propagation
Seed - surface sow in a container in a light position. The seed usually germinates in 1 - 3 months at 20°c[133 ]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots of well-drained soil when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in a sunny position until they are at least 20cm tall.
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
Blue agave, Chino azul
Found In
Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available
Australia, Central America, Mexico, North America
Weed Potential
Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section.
Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.
some closely related species are invasive. For this reason, blue agave has been identified as a weed, though a relatively low risk one.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : This taxon has not yet been assessed
Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.
Expert comment
Author
F.A.C.Weber
Botanical References
Links / References
For a list of references used on this page please go here
Readers comment
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Subject : Agave tequilana
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