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 utahensis var. eborispina commonly known as Ivory-Spined Agave is a small clump forming agave 20 to 30cm tall by 30cm wide with 10 to 20cm long leaves that have heavily toothed leaf margins and stout 4cm long ivory coloured terminal spines. When the plants mature in habitat they flower in late winter with 1.8 to 3.6 meter tall spikes. Plant in full sun in a well-drained soil and irrigate little if at all.