Agave is a genus of around 200 species placed in the Agavaceae family. The plants are perennials; but each rosette will flower once, and then die. Some species are known by the common name, Century Plant. 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 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 polianthiflora is a north Mexican species that makes a very cute and non-offsetting rosette to only 12.5cm tall x 25cm wide, composed of dark-green leaves, highlighted with an abundance of white filifers (hairs). In the wild, Agave polianthiflora can be found clinging to pine and oak forested rock outcrops up to 1950m elevation. This red flowering agave is likely to be one of the few Agaves that you would grow for its flowers. Agaves are impressive when they flower, no doubt, but this one is one of the few whose flowers are brightly coloured. The tubular red flowers resemble its close relative Polianthes (tuberose) hence its name! The plants are virtually indistinguishable from Agave parviflora but are not nearly as sensitive to water.