Genus Agave 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 garciae-mendozae belongs to Asparagaceae family and Agavaceae genus. It is named in honour of Mexican botanist Abisai Garcia-Mendoza. It is quite a new species, described in 2002 from Northeast Mexico (Hidalgo, Querétaro and San Luis Potosí). The species is found on limestone soils in rocky outcrops on mountain slopes, often in canyon bottoms; 1800-2350 metres above sea level. It is closely related to Agave horrida and Agave kerchovei and looks very similar to Agave horrida ssp. perotensis and may eventually will be considered synonymous.

Garcia-mendoza´s Agave is a medium-sized, perennial rosette-forming plant, single or somewhat cespitose. Rosettes may reach 110 cm high and 175 cm diameter with 50-80 mature leaves. Lanceolate, dark green to glaucous green leaves are up to 75 cm long and 12 cm wide, with small whitish or reddish thorns along their margins.

The inflorescence is a spicate panicle up to 5,5 m tall, peduncle reddish to glaucous green, bracts up to 23 cm long. Small, light green to yellowish green flowers are in groups of two or three.

Agave garciae-mendozae needs full sun and a very well-drained, sandy or gravely soil.

Cold hardiness of the plant is not known, it can take mild frost without damage. It grows fast in summer if provided with copious water. Propagation is done by seed or dividing the offsets.

Use in Landscape: Garcia-mendoza’s Agave is generally used at outdoors; in rock gardens, in cactus and succulent gardens, in xeric landscape, in Mediterranean landscapes, in borders, or as a specimen. As an ornamental it is also grown in containers where it stays much smaller than its outdoor brothers. In cold climates, plant must be kept in a cool, frost-free area in winter and put it out on the balcony or patio in summer.