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 stricta nana commonly known as Dwarf Hedgehog Agave is a small agave that grows slowly to form symmetrical rosettes 15 to 25cm tall and wide of narrow pale green spine-tipped leaves with tiny teeth along the margins that are more rough than sharp to the touch. With time new offsets form at the base from short rhizomes to create attractive tightly packed colonies. Occasionally a rosette will flower with a tall, sometimes crooked stalk, rising well above the foliage in late summer. The rosette of the flowering plant dies off but is quickly replaced by surrounding ones. Plant in full to part sun in a well-drained soil. Those who grow it in desert areas note that it does best with some afternoon shade. Water infrequently. Hardy to at least -6.6°C. An attractive and dramatic looking plant that is great as a container subject or planted in a rockery or along a slope. Use care in placement as the rigid leaves are sharp at the tips.