Genus Agave belongs to Asparagaceae family, it is composed of 275 species that occur in the arid and semi-arid regions from the south-western USA, Mexico, Central America and the West Indies. All species share thick, meaty, succulent-type spiny-edged leaves which are produced in the form of rosettes.  Most agaves are monocarpic succulents (they flower once and then die). They have funnel-shaped flowers in racemes or panicles often much taller than the rosettes.

Agave angustifolia, naturally found from the north of Mexico to Costa Rica and Panama. Most extreme habitats the species occupies are the arid Sonoran Desert, with an average annual precipitation of 250 mm, and the pine-oak forest close to Uruapan Michoacán, with a mean annual rainfall of 1,680 mm. The northern forms can survive winter frost without damage; whilst the tropical ones are sensitive to low temperatures. Some says it is synonym of Agave vivipara that is native only to the islands of the Caribbean. Now considered both are different species.

Caribbean Agave is an evergreen, stemless or short-stemmed succulent perennial. Plant forming a rosette of leaves that can be 100 – 200 cm tall and 150 – 200 cm in diameter. The size of this agave is highly variable depending on the varietal selection. Usually, it produces many basal offshoots forming new rosettes from suckers with age. Plant is monocarpic like most of the agaves (mother rosette dies after flowering and fruiting). Narrow gray-green leaves that taper to a very sharp, stiff, dangerous point, usually with a finely serrate margin. Cultivar of variegated forms are much appreciated at landscape designs. Individual plants take about 7 – 15 years in their native habitat, considerably longer in colder climates, before flowering. Produces many green to yellow flowers on a 3-5 meters tall panicle, sometimes flower stalks will produce bulbils instead of fruits.

Agave angustifolia prefers, filtered sun to full sun, sandy well drained soil. It tolerates heat, drought, and salty seaside conditions. Plant need protection of the freeze, can withstand -4 ˚C for a short time. Propagation done by seed, separation of bulbils or division of basal offshoots.

The heart of the Caribbean Agave, with the leaves trimmed off, is slow baked to convert much of the carbohydrates into sugars. It can then be eaten or used to make Mescal, that being Mexico’s main traditional booze. Sometimes other agave species are used for mescal as well. Mescal is different from Tequila. Tequila is distilled mainly from the juice of Agave tequilana and is generally regarded as more upscale than mescal. A fibre from the leaves is used for making rope.

Landscape Use: Agave angustifolia is an interesting accent agave for intermediate-sized desert gardens and xeric landscape design themes. It can be planted singularly, in groups, or used as a container plant. The plant is often grown as a living fence or hedges. Specially variegated form of the cultivar Agave angustifolia ‘marginata’ are much used at landscape designs.