Whale’s Tongue Agave
Broad, cupped blue leaves form a striking sculptural rosette that can become a serious landscape centerpiece.
We’ll add photos of actual nursery plants and mature examples.
Keep your plant thriving
Full sun to very light shade. Established plants take substantial sun, but newly moved or nursery-grown plants appreciate gradual acclimation in summer.
Water thoroughly when dry, then give the roots time to dry out. Once established in the ground, rainfall may provide much of its water.
Pots while young — ground preferred long-term
Gorgeous in a large container while young, but mature rosettes spread several feet and become heavy. For long-term growth, an open, sharply drained ground planting is usually easier. Keep clear of doors and sidewalks.
Excellent drainage is essential. Raised beds, gravelly sites, or broad containers with drainage are preferable to compacted, waterlogged soil.
Often around 2–3 feet high and 3–5 feet across, with variation by climate and moisture. Leave generous width for the cupped leaves.
One of the more cold-tolerant agaves when established and kept dry. Still protect small potted plants from unusually severe or wet freezes.
Broad silvery-blue leaves have a whale-tongue shape. “Frosty Blue” is a named selection with a particularly powdery blue appearance.
Good to know
A solitary rosette generally blooms once at maturity and dies afterward; this species typically does not produce offsets.
Further reading: Plant care reference.
← Browse our plant care libraryCare depends on season, local conditions, plant age, drainage, and establishment. Cold tolerance varies; protect vulnerable nursery plants during hard freezes.