Shaw's Agave

Shaw’s agave is a coastal California and Baja California succulent that forms a clumping rosette of dark green leaves edged with conspicuous red teeth and tipped with a sharp spine. Its compact, sculptural foliage works as a specimen in a sunny, dry garden or a large container. After many years, a mature rosette sends up a much taller branching flower stalk, then dies; offsets can maintain a clump. ## Size and growing conditions Allow about 2–3 ft for the rosette height and 3–4 ft for its spread; the flower stalk is separate and may rise 7–12 ft or more. The [Missouri Botanical Garden](https://plantfinder.mobot.org/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?bt=4&taxonid=275808) reports mature rosettes up to 3 ft tall and 4 ft wide. The [Theodore Payne Foundation](https://store.theodorepayne.org/products/theodore-payne-foundation-agave-shawii-var-shawii) lists a 2 by 3 ft plant, low water, and fast-draining sandy soil. Use full sun in coastal settings, with some afternoon shade in hotter inland gardens, and avoid persistently wet soil. The [Oregon State University Landscape Plants database](https://landscapeplants.oregonstate.edu/plants/agave-shawii) notes a 2–4 m flower panicle and hardiness to USDA zone 8. ## Maintenance Water regularly while establishing, then reduce irrigation and let the soil dry between waterings. Leave room to avoid the sharp leaf margins and flower stalk. A rosette flowers once and declines; retain healthy pups if a continuing clump is desired. Remove spent stalks and dead rosettes when practical.