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 ferdinandi-regis is a stunning small slow-growing agave to 45cm tall by as wide with an open rosette of stout triangular blue-green leaves having narrow longitudinal white bud imprints that usually form a triangle shape. The margins of the leaves are dark reddish brown and spineless terminating at the blunt leaf tip in a stout spine of the same colour. Plant it in full sun in a well-drained soil. It requires very little to no irrigation and is hardy to around -12°C. This plant was considered to be a form or synonym of Agave victoriae-reginae but in comparison with typical Agave victoriae-reginae it has a more open rosette with fewer and larger leaves and less bud imprinting.