Agaves are among the most conspicuous plants of arid North America; their bold forms attract attention in any landscape whether natural or designed. They are often confused with Yucca plants. Agaves are characterized by succulent or semi-succulent leaves that form rosettes from a few centimetres to several meters across, but there are many variations on this basic pattern. Growing Agaves and other succulents from seed is an easy, economical way to build up large numbers of plants. It is also an opportunity to find a seedling that shows unique or unusual characteristics from the mother plant.

Agave desertii commonly known as Desert Agave, Mescal, Century Plant or Maguey is an agave native to desert regions in southern California, Arizona, and Baja California. Its tall yellow flower stalks dot dry rocky slopes and washes throughout spring. It forms a rosette of fleshy gray-green leaves 20–70cm long and 4.5–10cm broad, with sharp spines along the edges and at the tips. It flowers at maturity, sending up an inflorescence 2–6m tall. The panicle bears numerous yellow, shaped flowers 3–6cm long.