Agave havardiana

Harvard Agave

Boething Treeland Farms grows over 1,000 varieties of trees, shrubs, perennials and specialty plants on 10 California nurseries to serve the wholesale landscape and nursery industries throughout the Western United States and beyond.

Plant Type: Succulents

Evergreen-Deciduous: Evergreen

Overall Mature Size: Medium

Mature Height & Spread: 2-3' tall, 3-4' wide

Natural Growth Habit: Rounded

Native To: Southwest

Exposure: Full Sun

Water: Low Water

Flower Color: Green / Yellow

Special Features: Cold Hardy / Deer Resistant / Desert Conditions / Drought Resistant

Minimum USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a-10

A Bit More

Striking silvery-blue color and dramatic dark margins make Agave havardiana a definite statement plant in the xeriscape. Leaves often retain the imprints of the leaves they were forming next to in the rosette, adding to the already intense visual interest.  Take care not to plant too close to walkways, as the teeth that grow along the edge and the terminal spine of each leaf is wickedly sharp! Occasionally Agave forms offsets that can be removed and planted elsewhere in the autumn. After a decade or so, a flower stalk will grow up to 10’ tall, and produce a stunning show of fragrant golden blossoms that draw in hummingbirds. That will be the swan song for that whorl, but there are usually one or two baby offsets at the base that will continue to grow in that spot.

Harvard Agave is one of, if not the, most cold tolerant of the Agaves.  Just protect it from moisture if temps dip below 20°F, and it’ll be happy.

A Bit More

Striking silvery-blue color and dramatic dark margins make Agave havardiana a definite statement plant in the xeriscape. Leaves often retain the imprints of the leaves they were forming next to in the rosette, adding to the already intense visual interest.  Take care not to plant too close to walkways, as the teeth that grow along the edge and the terminal spine of each leaf is wickedly sharp! Occasionally Agave forms offsets that can be removed and planted elsewhere in the autumn. After a decade or so, a flower stalk will grow up to 10’ tall, and produce a stunning show of fragrant golden blossoms that draw in hummingbirds. That will be the swan song for that whorl, but there are usually one or two baby offsets at the base that will continue to grow in that spot.

Harvard Agave is one of, if not the, most cold tolerant of the Agaves.  Just protect it from moisture if temps dip below 20°F, and it’ll be happy.