Agave ovatifolia

Common Names

Whale's Tongue Agave, Whale's Tongue, Century Plant, Hardy Century Plant

Summary

Whale’s Tongue agave is an evergreen, solitary desert succulent from Nuevo León, Mexico, forming a compact rosette with broad blue-gray leaves cupped and edged with small teeth and a long dark terminal spine. Rosettes reach about 3–4 ft tall and 4–6 ft wide, and a tall panicle up to 3–4 m tall bears pale yellow-green flowers; after flowering the rosette dies. Reproduction occurs by seed and bulbils; offsets are absent. Native to elevations around 1,200–2,100 m.

In cultivation, it prefers full sun to partial shade and very well-drained soils, tolerates drought with infrequent watering, and serves as a decorative focal point in desert- or Mediterranean-style landscapes. It is hardy in USDA zones 7–11, attracts hummingbirds, and is deer resistant; avoid planting near foot traffic due to sharp spines. Propagation is by seed or bulbils; offsets absent.

Lifecycle

Perennial (monocarpic; dies after flowering)

Height

3-4 ft tall

Spread

4-6 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 7-11

Sunlight Requirements

Full Sun to Partial Shade.

Soil Type

Very well-drained soil, preferably sandy or rocky; cactus-style mix with added perlite or vermiculite and some organic matter for nutrition (avoid moisture-retentive mixes).

Soil Drainage

Well-drained soil, sandy or rocky preferred, fast-draining and gritty with a cactus/succulent mix, do not retain moisture.

Soil pH

Slightly acidic to neutral, tolerates a wide pH range

Bloom Color

Greenish-yellow

Bloom Time

Spring to Summer

Foliage Color

Powder-blue (silvery blue) foliage

Fall Foliage Color

Green-blue to gray-blue

Leaf Lifecycle

Evergreen broadleaf

Growth Rate

Slow

Seasons of Interest

Summer and Winter

Propagation Methods

Seeds, bulbils, division/offsets

Attracts Wildlife

Birds: Yes — sunbird, hummingbird, Other pollinators: Yes — moths, bats