Succulent & cactus
Havard Agave
Agave havardiana
Sculptural blue rosette that wants your worst soil and zero summer water. Hardy to zone 5 with sharp drainage and dry winters.
- Evergreen
- Native
- Deer-resistant
Quick facts
- Hardiness
- USDA zones 5–9
- Water
- Very low once established
- Sun
- Full sun
- Size
- 24–36 in. tall × 3–5 ft wide
- Bloom & interest
- Sculptural blue-gray rosette; a single tall yellow flower stalk after many years, then the rosette dies
- Plant type
- Succulent & cactus
- Native range
- Native to the Chihuahuan Desert of west Texas (Big Bend) and northern Mexico
Why we recommend it
One of the cold-hardiest large agaves, bringing desert architecture to zone 5–6 gardens with no supplemental water.
Best regions: Front RangeHigh DesertSouthwestTexas
How to grow it
Watering to establish
Water every 2–3 weeks the first summer only.
Pruning
None; remove dead lower leaves. After it flowers, the rosette dies and offsets replace it.
Soil
Gravelly, fast-draining soil or a raised berm; keep winter-wet soil away from the crown.
Pairs well with
Read more
Where to buy
Shop Havard Agave from trusted growers. For the best selection of xeric plants, try a mail-order specialist or ask a local independent nursery.
- High Country Gardens (opens in a new tab)Xeric specialist
- Nature Hills Nursery (opens in a new tab)Wide selection
- American Meadows (opens in a new tab)Perennials & seeds
- Etsy (opens in a new tab)Small growers
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