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

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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 Margin(s)

Spined

Spinose

Spined,

Spinose

Leaf Arrangement

Open Crown

Rosette

Open Crown,

Rosette

Leaf Cross Section(s)

Concave

Apice(s)

Acute Narrowly

Spinous

Acute Narrowly,

Spinous

Base(s)

Truncate

Leaf Venation

Parallel

Leaf Aroma

None

Leaf Attachment

Collar Divided

Sessile

Collar Divided,

Sessile

Trunk / Stem Properties

Trunk / Stem Upper Colour(s)

Blue-grey

Trunk / Stem Base Colour(s)

Brown-green

Trunk / Stem / Phylloclade Texture (Upper)

Scabrous / Rough

Trunk / Stem / Phylloclade Texture (Lower)

Scabrous / Rough

Trunk / Stem / Phylloclade Feature(s)

Leaf Scar

Stem-erect , Stem-single

Stem-erect,

Stem-single

Trunk / Stem Cross Section

Terete

Trunk / Stem / Phylloclade Length

300-400mm, 400-500mm, 500-600mm

300-400mm,

400-500mm,

500-600mm

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

Attachment

Pedicelate

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

Seed Properties

Type

Achene

Seed Dispersal

Wind

Seed Number

many

Root Properties

Type

Fibrous

Tap Conical

Fibrous,

Tap Conical

Texture

Cord-like , Fibrous

Cord-like,

Fibrous

Invasiveness

None

Soil Properties

Type(s)

Loam, Sandy-loam, Sand

Loam,

Sandy-loam,

Sand

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

Minimum Temperature Tolerance

0 - 2°C

Smog Tolerant

Moderate

Indigenous Use(s)

Flower - Eaten raw, Leaves - Fibre, textiles, clothing, Sap - Fermented, alcohol

Flower - Eaten raw,

Leaves - Fibre, textiles, clothing,

Sap - Fermented, alcohol

Landscape Use

Moderate

Street Use

None

Commercial Use(s)

Sap - Fermented, alcohol

Maintenance(s)

Dead Heading, Dead Leaf Removal

Dead Heading,

Dead Leaf Removal

Pests/Diseases

Mealy Bug, Root Rot Fungus, Scale, Weevils

Mealy Bug,

Root Rot Fungus,

Scale,

Weevils

Special Purpose(s)

Garden-Architectural, Garden-Modern, Garden-Container, Foliage-interesting, Garden-Cacti, Garden-Coastal, Garden-Courtyard, Garden-Desert, Garden-Informal, Garden-Mediterranean, Garden-Rock, Garden-Tropical, Garden-Xeriscape, Hedge-informal, Irritating-Spines, Specimen, Sunny Dry, Tolerant- Rabbit's/Hares, Tolerant-Deer, Tolerant-Kangaroo's

Garden-Architectural,

Garden-Modern,

Garden-Container,

Foliage-interesting,

Garden-Cacti,

Garden-Coastal,

Garden-Courtyard,

Garden-Desert,

Garden-Informal,

Garden-Mediterranean,

Garden-Rock,

Garden-Tropical,

Garden-Xeriscape,

Hedge-informal,

Irritating-Spines,

Specimen,

Sunny Dry,

Tolerant- Rabbit's/Hares,

Tolerant-Deer,

Tolerant-Kangaroo's

Dormancy

Winter

Humidity Requirements

Low, Medium, High

Low,

Medium,

High

Vulnerability

LC - Least Concern

Altitude Range - Habitat

900-1,000m, 1,000-1,250m, 1,250-1,500m

900-1,000m,

1,000-1,250m,

1,250-1,500m

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

Propagation

Fresh Seed, Offsets

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.

Propagation Notes

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Fresh Seed

Flowering

Summer

Seed Collecting

Autumn

Sowing

Spring Early

Material Preparation

Collect the capsules as they are starting to dry out. Place in a paper bag to dry out thoroughly for 1 - 2 weeks. Rub the capsules between gloved hands to remove any seed that hasn't fallen out. Clean and store in a cool dark place.

Viability:- 1 - 3 years

Seeds/gram:-

Propagating Mix

1 part Premium Potting Mix + 1 part coarse washed Sand + 1 part Perlite

Treatment

Fill seedling tray BUT do not firm down. Sow seed, approximately 10mm apart, cover lightly with mix, then a thin sprinkle of fine gravel (6-7mm), water in well with Previcur fungicide mix. Place in a hot house. Keep moist but not too wet. Maintain hot house environment temperature between 25-34° C, with bright indirect sunlight.

Viable seeds/gram:-

Germination time:- 14 - 45 days

Pricking out:- 8 - 10 weeks after germination (2 - 3 leaf stage)

Tube Mix:- 1 part Premium Potting Mix + 1 part coarse washed Sand

Offsets

Flowering

Summer

Division

Summer Early, Spring Late

Material Preparation

Being careful of the spiny teeth, select offsets that are formed well. With a sharp knife, slice down the side of the stem of the mother plant to remove the offset with any possible roots attached. If roots are attached then the offset can be potted up straight away. If not roots are attached, remove lower leaves to expose approximately 20 - 25mm of stem. Place to one side and allow the wound to callous for 1 - 2 weeks.

Propagating Mix

Premium Cacti Mix

1 part Premium Potting Soil + 1 part coarse washed Sand

Treatment

Fill the pot with mix. Using a dibber make a hole in the middle of the pot of mix a little larger than the stem. Place the offest into the pot of mix being careful of the spines. The offset should stand firm and be approximately 25 - 50mm into the mix. Water the mix thoroughly with Previcur fungicide. Place in cold house, keep moist. Maintain cold house environment between 50-75% humidity and temperature between 20-30° C.

Strike Rate:- Field Stock 75-95 %

Nursery Stock 90-99 %

Rooting time:- Field Stock 4 - 8 weeks

Nursery Stock 4 - 8 weeks