Fox Tail Agave

Frost Tolerance: Semi tender in Phoenix, hardy to 30°F ( -1°C), it needs frost protection on coldest nights

Heat Tolerance: Needs regular water in summer in Phoenix to avoid heat stress

Sun Exposure: Light shade to part sun

Origin: Mountains of central Mexico, rare in its natural distribution

Growth Habits: Succulents, clumps to 5 feet tall (1.5 m), 5 feet diameter (1.5 m).

Watering Needs: Infrequent water

Propagation: Suckers (called pups), seeds, bulbils from the inflorescence.

Agave attenuata is a tropical agave, it is frost sensitive, doesn't like hot Arizona sun, and requires more water. It grows well in Phoenix, provided that it is protected by an overhang, tree or temporary shelter on freezing nights.
Agave attenuata 'Nova' is bluish green (picture 2), it was discovered on a Huntington Botanical Garden expedition in 1970, in Jalisco.

Blooming Habits:
Blooms only when the plant is 10 years old or more. The flower stalk is large (7 to 13 feet - 2 to 4 m) with yellow-green drooping flowers organized as a raceme. The plant then dies leaving suckers that grow into replacement plants.

Culture:
Tolerates poor soil and drought, but does much better in good soil and regular water.