Squid Agave
Latin Name: Agave bracteosa 'Calamar'
Price range: $16.95 through $19.95
- Hardiness Zone: Zone 8, Zone 9, Zone 10, Zone 11
- Pot Size: 4 Inch, 1 Gallon
Agave bracteosa ‘Calamar’ forms a low, arching rosette of narrow, pale green leaves that curl outward from the center like the tentacles of a squid. The leaves are smooth and toothless, lacking the sharp marginal teeth and terminal spine that most agaves carry, so the plant reads as soft and fluid rather than stiff. ‘Calamar’ is a selection prized for holding to a single rosette, rarely producing the side shoots that let the wild form spread into a colony. Its pliable, spineless leaves point to a plant that evolved on shaded canyon walls rather than open, sun-baked desert. Set among boulders, in a container, or in a bed of low succulents, it brings a marine, almost animal quality that few other plants match.
Plant Details
Quick Information
- Latin Name: Agave bracteosa ‘Calamar’
- Plant Family: Asparagaceae
- Common Names: squid agave, spider agave, candelabrum agave
- Origin / Native Range: Sierra Madre Oriental, northeastern Mexico (Coahuila, Nuevo León, Tamaulipas)
- Mature Height × Width: 1.5–2 ft × 2–3 ft
- Exposure Requirements: Full Sun to Light Shade
- Irrigation Requirements: Low
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 8–11
- Cold Hardiness: 8°F–10°F (when dry)
- Bloom Time: Summer
- Bloom Color: Creamy White to Pale Yellow
General Information
The rosette of ‘Calamar’ is built from thin, ribbon-like leaves that rise from a very short central base and then bend outward, so a settled plant looks like a slow green fountain. A rosette is simply a ring of leaves that all grow from one point close to the ground. Leaf color ranges from apple green to a soft sea green, with a slightly rough, matte surface rather than a glossy shine. This selection was chosen because it holds to a single rosette and rarely sends up the side shoots, or offsets, that cause the wild species to spread into a broad clump. That habit gives ‘Calamar’ a tidy, self-contained outline that suits a pot or a small bed. In summer, an established plant can push up a slender flower spike several feet tall, lined near the top with a dense, bottlebrush-like cluster of bloom.
In the wild, this species clings to steep limestone cliffs and rocky slopes in the Sierra Madre Oriental of northern Mexico, often on shaded, north-facing rock between about 3,000 and 5,500 feet. Plants wedge into narrow cracks with very little soil, which explains two things gardeners notice: it needs fast-draining ground, and it accepts more shade than most agaves. Like other succulents, its leaves store water in thick inner tissue, letting the plant coast through dry spells once its roots take hold. It also uses CAM photosynthesis, a water-saving process in which the leaves open their pores at night, when the air is cool and moist, instead of during the heat of the day. This mountain background lends useful cold tolerance as well. Kept dry through winter, it withstands temperatures down to roughly 8°F, though wet, freezing soil does far more harm than cold air alone.
One trait sets Agave bracteosa apart from most of its relatives. Many agaves are monocarpic, meaning a rosette flowers once and then dies, but this species is only weakly so and often lives on to bloom again over several years. Its flowers are unusual up close, too, rising from a flat, disk-shaped base rather than the tube found in typical agave blooms, a feature it shares with a small group of close kin. The creamy white to pale yellow flowers draw bees and other insects through the warm months. One practical note for placement: the flexible leaves that give ‘Calamar’ its soft look are also easy to snap, so the plant holds up best set slightly back from walkways and busy foot traffic.
General Planting & Cultivation Information
Even drought-tolerant plants require regular watering until they are well established, good drainage is essential. If planting in containers, avoid pots without drainage holes.
Irrigate by watering deeply and then allowing the top several inches of soil to dry between waterings. This encourages the plant to send roots deep into the earth in search of moisture, helping it to become established, prevent root rot, build drought tolerance, and resilience to wind, heat, and cold.
The length of time between waterings will vary depending on your growing conditions and environment. Use a moisture meter for precise irrigation.
When planting, set the plant at the same depth as it was in its current container. For trees, ensure the top of the root flare is at soil level.
Young plants are vulnerable to harsh conditions, so consider growing them in larger containers until mature.
When planting in the ground, research the optimal planting season for your climate zone and protect young plants from frost.
To support establishment, consider creating a microclimate with nurse plants, shade, or wind protection. This can reduce stress, conserve soil moisture, and increase long-term success.
Protect the small, immature plants from rabbits and deer.
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