A midsized Agave from rocky outcrops in the highlands of Chiapas, Mexico and Guatemala that forms a tight rosette of broad, pale, bluish or yellowish-green leaves with pronounced thorns. It is a robust species, hardy to drought, but tolerates only mild freezes.
Best suited for containers or zone 8b or higher outside

This spectacular, large, cliff-dwelling Agave from central western Mexico provides a focal point for any garden. Its soft, deeply keeled, light green to pale blue, ascending leaves are curved at the base and strongly recurved towards their delicately drawn-out tip, giving the plant a bold and unique, somewhat spidery appearance.
When in flower, it produces a huge, unbranched spike that sports thousands of bright yellow flowers, followed by numerous bulbils that can be used for propagation. Seed however is rarely set, especially in cultivation. It has been popular in gardens on the Mediterranean for at least a century and will adapt to cultivation anywhere outside the humid tropics where no severe freezes are experienced.
A. vilmoriniana has no spines or thorns and thus is one of the few Agave that can be planted anywhere, without ever becoming a danger to beast or man alike. In addition, it is easy and fast growing, needs hardly any maintenance and adapts perfectly to being grown in containers. Its leaves contain saponin, a soap substitute, and other substances that are believed to have medicinal properties.
Zone 9 and higher outside, but also makes a great container plant for cooler zones if brought in for the winter.

Commonly called Queen Victoria agave or royal agave, is a succulent, herbaceous perennial native to rocky, limestone slopes in the Chihuahuan Desert of northern Mexico. Mature clumps will reach up to 1' tall and 1.5' wide. May grow in a solitary rosette or form offsets. The stiff, dark green, angular leaves can reach around 7" long and form a tight rosette.
The leaves have contrasting, smooth, white margins and a short, black, terminal spine. In summer a single, 10-15' tall, unbranched flowering spike will emerge from the center of rosettes that are 15-30 years old. The flowering stalk is topped with an unbranched spike of yellow-green flowers. The rosette will dieback after blooming.
The specific epithet victoriae-reginae honors Queen Victoria (1819-1901), Queen of the United Kingdom from 1837 until her death.
For zones 8-10