Agave americana ‘Kiefer Strain’

Agave americana is a rosette-forming perennial succulent that is native to Mexico. It has been introduced and has naturalized in a number of tropical areas around the world. Each plant typically forms a large, evergreen basal rosette of thick, succulent, gray-green leaves. Each rosette typically matures over time to as much as 6′ tall by 8-10′ wide. Each leaf has a waxy bloom, spiny tip, and sharp marginal spines. This plant is also well-known for its infrequent but spectacular flowering spikes. Plants are monocarpic (bloom only once and then die).  (Courtesy of Missouri Botanical Gardens Plant Finder)