Agave tequilana F. A. C. Weber, 1902

Common name(s): Blue Agave, Tequila Agave, Blue Webber Agave

Family: Asparagaceae (Agavaceae) Subfamily: Agavoideae Synonym(s): Agave angustifolia subsp. tequilana F.A.C.Weber, Valenz.-Zap. & Nabhan, Agave palmaris Trel., Agave pedrosana Trel., Agave pes-mulae Trel., Agave pseudotequilana Trel.

Plant

Taken by Ken Harrington on 5th August, 2025 at Mt Coot tha Botanical Gardens, Queensland

Leaves

Taken by Ken Harrington

Leaf (Back)

Taken by Ken Harrington

Expand all

Cacti, Succulents, & Allies Properties

Origin(s)

Mexico

Nayarit: Indigenous
Jalisco: Indigenous
Michoacan: Indigenous
Colima: Indigenous

Plant Type

Succulent, Evergreen Succulent

Succulent,

Evergreen Succulent

Aspect Range(s)

Sun - Full

Mature Height

2-2.5m, 2.5-3m, 3-4m, 4-5m, 5-6m, 6-7m

2-2.5m,

2.5-3m,

3-4m,

4-5m,

5-6m,

6-7m

Mature Width

1.5-2m, 2-2.5m

1.5-2m,

2-2.5m

Plant Shape

Rosette - Spiked

Growth Rate

Fast

Maturity

4-6 yrs., 6-8 yrs., 8-10 yrs.

4-6 yrs.,

6-8 yrs.,

8-10 yrs.

Life Span

15-30yrs

Leaf Properties

Leaf Colour (front)

Blue-grey

Leaf Colour (back)

Blue-grey

Leaf Shape(s)

Lanceolate

Lanceolate-attentuate

Lanceolate,

Lanceolate-attentuate

Leaf Texture (front)

Glaucous

Smooth

Waxy

Glaucous,

Smooth,

Waxy

Fleshy , Thick

Fleshy,

Thick

Leaf Texture (back)

Glaucous

Smooth

Waxy

Glaucous,

Smooth,

Waxy

Fleshy , Thick

Fleshy,

Thick

Leaf Length(s)

1-1.25m, 1.25-1.5m, 1.5-1.75m, 1.75-2m

1-1.25m,

1.25-1.5m,

1.5-1.75m,

1.75-2m

Leaf Width(s)

80-90mm, 90-100mm, 100-150mm

80-90mm,

90-100mm,

100-150mm

Leaf Arrangement

Open Crown

Rosette

Open Crown,

Rosette

Leaf Aroma

None

Trunk / Stem Properties

Trunk / Stem Upper Colour(s)

Blue-grey

Trunk / Stem Base Colour(s)

Brown-green

Trunk / Stem / Phylloclade Feature(s)

Leaf Scar

Stem-erect , Stem-single

Stem-erect,

Stem-single

Inflorescence (Flower) Properties

Gender: Bisexual

Flowering Time (start)

Summer Early

Flowering Time (end)

Summer Late

Colour(s)

Yellow

Flower Shape(s)

Tubulate

Flower Size(s) Length

60-70mm, 70-80mm

60-70mm,

70-80mm

Arrangement(s)

Panicle

Umbel

Panicle,

Umbel

Terminal

Arrangement Size(s)

3-4m, 4-5m

3-4m,

4-5m

Flowers per Arrangement

many

Pollinator(s)

Bats, Bees, Birds, Butterflies

Bats,

Bees,

Birds,

Butterflies

Root Properties

Type

Fibrous

Tap Conical

Fibrous,

Tap Conical

Invasiveness

None

Soil Properties

pH Range(s)

Acid, Slightly Acid, Neutral

Acid,

Slightly Acid,

Neutral

Condition(s)

Moist

Moist-Dry

Moist,

Moist-Dry

Fertile , Poor , Shallow , Deep , Well Drained

Fertile,

Poor,

Shallow,

Deep,

Well Drained

Salinities

Slight

Waterlogging Class

None

Watering Requirements

WR4 - allow soil to dry between watering, WR5 - soil should remain dry 4 - 5 days between watering, WR6-soil may remain dry

WR4 - allow soil to dry between watering,

WR5 - soil should remain dry 4 - 5 days between watering,

WR6-soil may remain dry

Other Properties / Uses

Bee Attraction

Moderate

Bird Attraction

Insect, Nectar

Insect,

Nectar

Butterfly Attraction

Moderate

Frog Habitat

None

Coastal

2nd Line

Edible(s)

None

Fire Retarding

Moderate

Drought Tolerance

Very Good

Frost Tolerance

Light

Snow Tolerance

None

Smog Tolerant

Moderate

Landscape Use

Moderate

Pests/Diseases

Mealy Bug, Root Rot Fungus, Scale, Weevils

Mealy Bug,

Root Rot Fungus,

Scale,

Weevils

Humidity Requirements

Low, Medium, High

Low,

Medium,

High

Altitude Range - Tolerance

0-100m, 100-200m, 200-300m, 300-400m, 400-500m, 500-600m, 600-700m, 700-800m, 800-900m, 900-1,000m, 1,000-1,250m, 1,250-1,500m

0-100m,

100-200m,

200-300m,

300-400m,

400-500m,

500-600m,

600-700m,

700-800m,

800-900m,

900-1,000m,

1,000-1,250m,

1,250-1,500m

Fertilising Requirements

FR6

Wind Tolerance

Strong Winds, Hot / Humid Winds

Strong Winds,

Hot / Humid Winds

General Notes

A very important Agave for its economic product of tequila in the state of Jalisco, Mexico and surrounding areas. Tequila is made only from a specific cultivar called 'Weber Azul'. Tequila is produced from the processed portion of the stem that the leaves attach to, the heart, called the pina, with the leaves removed it looks like a pineapple, usually in 7th - 14th year of growth. When it is roasted, crushed to release the sugary liquid, fermented and distilled.

As a garden specimen it is a stand out with its long blue-grey leaves.