Agave Marmorata

Description: Known in Mexico as “tepaxtate” or “pichomel”, this agave has a large rosette of ruffled, unruly, and pointed leaves with sharp marginal teeth. We grow this agave on hillsides, where it sprawls more than it grows upright–and more than slightly resembles an upside-down octopus with its head buried in the dirt and its green tentacles flailing above ground. A visually striking agave that produces breathtaking spirits, rich with notes of sweet, tropical fruit. One of our favorite spirit agaves. Can be challenging to grow in our cold, wet winters, but we have had moderate success thus far with temps down to ~25°. Often reputed to live 25+ years, our friends farming A. marmorata in Mexico are harvesting mature plants at 6-8 years. We anticipate slower maturity in our location. Estimated Size: 4-5ft height and 5-7ft width Estimated Time to Maturity: 8-15 years Propagation: Pups, seed. Uses: Spirits, landscaping. Care: Full sun, high drought tolerance, hardy to around 25°F. Suggest planting 11-12ft centers and 6ft down the row. Note: There is a great deal of scientific and academic literature, as well as practical experience from Mexico, regarding the lifespan of various agave species. In our experience, however, this information is not always correct for agaves grown in California--and in Northern California in particular, where most species have a limited track record of production. Our maturity estimates represent our best guesses based on our review of available information and the speed at which agaves are growing for us. Your experience may vary!