Agave attenuata is often called Foxtail Agave or Swan’s Neck Agave. Unlike most agaves, its leaves have no sharp tips or teeth, so it’s friendly to walk past and easy to live with, which is just as well, as it is beginning to tower over the cars on our drive.
This is the second time this group of agaves has flowered, and as you can see, it not only has one flower stalk but also 4 more that are beginning to sprout!
It has loose rosettes of pale green, which multiply on the trunk. Mine has had numerous babies (pups), which, over the years, I have shared with friends and neighbours. I have several groups of Agave attenuata that grow between 3 and 5ft tall and wide.
When they bloom, often after many years, they send up a curving flower stalk that looks like a fox’s tail or the graceful neck of a swan. The flowers are a pale yellow, and for some reason, the bees ADORE them. It reminds me of A Donah kebab for bees!
I promise there were at least 20 bees when I took the photo!
After flowering, the central plant slowly dies—but it usually leaves behind little “pups” (baby plants) to carry on. I have several clumps growing in various locations, from light shade to full sun. Once established, they are drought-tolerant and prefer to stay on the dry side.
I love this plant because it is low-maintenance and looks elegant year-round.
Do you have this plant or have you seen it in gardens near you?
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Piglet in Portugal 
I love the drama of this plant and am glad to hear that it hasn’t got the nasty spikes. What fun! Do you think the new flower spikes will be a bit smaller?
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Hi Frogend, yes it is a dramatic plant. Excellent description! I’ve never seen more than one central flower spike so it will be interesting to see how it develops.
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https://invasoras.pt/en/invasive-plant/agave-americana
https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=agam
I am 95% sure it is this plant.
We have lots growing in the wild near us. I have also asked on my local gardening group.
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You lucky duck! (Apologies – I know this is just good gardening in the right place for you) . . . How wondrously dramatic and decorative . . . and the babies will carry on . . . fantastic!!!
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haha… not good gardening on my part it just loves the location. All the other Agaves in my garden have not flowered. I usually keill my plants with love.
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I haven’t seen any in my climate. I think they require warmer temperatures. Very beautiful though Thank you for sharing. It is wonderful to have plants that the bees live in your garden.
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Hi Maria, sadly they would not survive in freezing temperatures. 😦
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That’s an amazing and unusual agave plant, Carole. Interesting that you made a post about it today, as there’s a huge one with many pups in our park here in Texas, that I’ve been planning to post about soon. Until I get the correct information about what type it is, my post will be on hold. I’ve taken a photo and entered it into Google lens and a plant ID app. Unfortunately, the ID varies.
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Hi Terry, sometimes they are difficult to identify. I feel your frustration in that department. My friend who passed recently was a great reference source as he knew the name of 95% of the plants I asked him to identify. There are several succulent groups on FB have you asked there.
You could also email me a photo
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What’s your email addy, and I’ll do that, Carole.
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pigletinportugal@gmail.com
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Thank you! Email sent just now.
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https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=agam
and
https://invasoras.pt/en/invasive-plant/agave-americana
I have also asked on our gardening group. They are very common here.
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Thanks so much, Carole! I appreciate your help 💕
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