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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.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. The flowers are pollinated by Bats. The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly 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.
Plant 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
, 1845
]. Tequila is a distilled alcoholic beverage similar to mezcal, but only made in a small region of Mexico and only from a limited number of species. Mature plants are harvested from the wild, their leaves and roots are removed and the remaining 'hearts' are baked (often in an earth oven), then mashed and the resulting liquid allowed to ferment for a few days before being distilled to produce tequila.
References More on Edible Uses
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 More on Medicinal Uses
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Other Uses
Agroforestry uses: Agave can be used for erosion control and as a drought-resistant crop in agroforestry systems. It can also provide habitat for wildlife and is often used as a hedge or boundary plant due to its size and spines.
A fibre is obtained from the leaves[317 ]. Known as 'Jarsia', the fibres are soft enough 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). Nectary - Flowers rich in nectar and pollen: Yes – Agave flowers produce nectar that attracts various pollinators, including bees and butterflies, especially when in bloom. 2. Wildlife - Food (Fruit, Seeds, Leaf litter, Shelter, Nesting, Roosting): No – While the plant itself is not typically consumed directly by wildlife as food, the nectar can attract pollinators. The leaves can provide some cover, but they do not serve as a primary source of food, shelter, or nesting material for wildlife. 3. Invertebrate Shelter (Overwintering sites, Leaf litter, ground cover): No – Agave does not provide significant shelter for invertebrates or contribute to ground cover like other plants might. 4. Pest Confuser (Smell): No – The scent of the agave plant is not specifically noted for confusing pests, although the flowers may attract beneficial insects.
Special Uses
Carbon Farming
References More on Other Uses
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 favours 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. The main harvest of the agave hearts (piñas) occurs after about 7 to 10 years, typically in late winter to early spring (January to April), depending on the climate and growing conditions.
Agave tequilana usually flowers once it reaches maturity, which can be after 7 to 10 years, and the flowering period generally occurs in late spring to summer.
Carbon Farming
-
Agroforestry Services: Living fence
Simply managed rows of shrubs and trees.
-
Management: Standard
Plants grow to their standard height. Harvest fruit, seeds, or other products. Non-Destructive management systems.
-
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.
-
Staple Crop: Sugar
Perennial sugar crops include sugarcane and compare favorably to annuals.
References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information
Temperature Converter
Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:
Fahrenheit:
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Plant 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 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. Matures Agave produces “pups,” or outgrowths on the base of the plant used for propagation.
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
Blue agave, Chino azul
Native Range
NORTHERN AMERICA: Mexico, Jalisco, Oaxaca, Puebla,
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
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Subject : Agave tequilana
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