Agave filifera, commonly known as Thread Agave, is an evergreen succulent native to the rocky and arid regions of central Mexico. It forms attractive, stemless rosettes typically up to 3 feet (90 cm) in diameter and 2 feet (60 cm) tall. The leaves are dark green to bronzish-green with distinctive white filaments along the margins and white bud imprints that add to its ornamental value. The flower stalk, which can reach up to 11.5 feet (3.5 m) tall, bears dense clusters of yellowish-green to dark purple flowers, each up to 2 inches (5 cm) long, blooming in autumn and winter. The flowers are particularly showy and add a dramatic vertical element to the garden.

Thread Agave is valued for its striking foliage and architectural form, making it a popular choice for rock gardens, xeriscaping, and as a container plant. It has received the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit, reflecting its desirability in garden cultivation. While it is drought-tolerant and requires minimal maintenance, it does need protection from frost and should be grown in heated indoor settings during winter in temperate climates. Outdoors, it thrives in full sun and well-draining soil. Overwatering should be avoided to prevent root rot. Agave filifera is slow-growing and rarely needs repotting. It is important to handle this plant minimally, as it does not respond well to disturbance.CC BY-SA 4.0