Agave attenuata ‘Ray of Light’

variegated foxtail agave
The foxtail agave is apt named for its languid arching flower stalk covered in hundreds of creamy white flowers. Soft jade-toned agave with cream-edge leaves makes a bright star in the garden. Clustering. Tolerates shade.
Agave attenuata 'Ray of Light'Agave attenuata 'Ray of Light'
height 1–5ft
width 3–6ft
tolerates Coast, Cool Summers, Drought, Fog, Pots, Neglect, Salt
water
needs		 Low
water
info		 Agave are extremely drought tolerant, and many need no supplemental irrigation in coastal California. They will however look better and grow faster if they are given additional water, especially during summer. This agave is more forgiving than most of overwatering, especially if it’s in good drainage.

This agave will need some summer irrigation in sunny spots when it is away from the coast.
hardy
to		 30F
exposure Part Sun – Full Sun
indoor
outdoor		 Outdoor
drainage In Ground: Cactus Mix, In Pots: Cactus Mix, Tolerates Sandy Soil
fertilizing All Purpose, Low Needs
origin C Mexico
california
native		 No
sunset
zones		 13, 17, 21–24

Sunset Zones Map

Outdoor Exposure Guide

OUTDOOR EXPOSURE GUIDE

Full Sun
Six or more hours of sun beams directly landing on the plant's leaves.

Part Shade
Three to five hours of sun beams directly landing on the plant's leaves.

Part Sun
One to two hours of sun beams directly landing on the plants leaves.

Full Shade
The plant is never fully lit by sun beams, but is in a bright spot or has dappled sunbeams playing over the leaves throughout the day.

Deep Shade
The plant never has dappled light on the leaves, and is in a place that feels dim, even on a nice sunny day.

SUNSET ZONES MAP

Growing Notes

This agave is monocarpic, meaning that a head will grow larger and larger over time, building up energy, then send off a spectacular flower and afterward decline and die, replaced by pups from the base.
This agave is almost unique in that it creates a woody trunk, similar to that of a palm tree. The leaves also shed naturally, so when they are dry you can peel them off, or let them fall off and pick them up.
Protect from snails. When deer are particularly hungry they will eat A. attenuata as well.
If you’d like a single head or just a couple heads, just remove the pups from the base as they grow.
This agave is inclined to physical damage, so keep it back from high traffic paths where people might bump into it.

Special Interest

When agave set pups they can easily be removed and propagated. With this species they will actually begin to grow roots on the pups, so when you see above ground roots you’ll know they are easy to remove and propagate.