Octopus Agave
Agave vilmoriniana
A fast-growing, spineless agave with gracefully arching leaves that twist and curl like octopus tentacles.
Frost sensitive, hardy to about 25-28°F, USDA 9-11; a tender low-desert agave.
AMWUA Notes
Fast-growing, spineless, low-water agave ideal for pool areas.
Care Guide
Water every 2 weeks while young, then monthly; fast growing but still rot-prone in wet soil.
Remove dead lower leaves; monocarpic—after bloom the parent dies but leaves thousands of bulbils on the stalk for propagation.
Optional light spring feeding supports its fast growth.
Agave snout weevil can strike; a preventive soil drench helps.
Frost-tender below 28°F; the curving leaves can burn in cold, so protect in hard freezes.
Soil, Feeding & Propagation
Fast-draining mineral soil or decomposed granite; low organic matter
Needs sharp, fast-draining soil.
Low feeder.
Bulbils formed on the bloom stalk after flowering
5 ft
Shallow, non-invasive roots; spineless and soft-tipped, safe for poolside
Placement Tips
- •Spineless margins and soft tips make it one of the best agaves for poolside and near seating.
- •Give room for the 5 ft arching spread.
- •Plant in fast-draining soil.
- •Striking in raised beds where the leaves can cascade.
Features
Best Uses
Companion Plants
Quick Stats
Design Styles
Include in Your Project
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Use this care guide to maintain your Octopus Agave. Questions about your landscape? Reach out anytime.
Data from 2024 AMWUA “Landscape Plants for the Arizona Desert” guide.