Agave ‘Celsii Nova’, is a beautiful, compact cultivar with a broad, round rosette of blue-grey leaves. It is a popular ornamental agave in xeriscape and succulent gardens.

Origin

• This is a selected cultivar or hybrid created from selection of Agave celsii in the modern succulent trade.
• Base species Agave celsii is endemic to north-central Mexico, on dry, rocky slopes and highlands.
• The cultivar ‘Nova’ was selected for its intense blue-grey colour, broad leaves and relatively fast growth/flowering. (lab propagation) for uniformity.

Care

• Grows slowly to moderately fast to a solitary rosette about 30–60 cm high and 60–90 cm wide; leaves broad, blue-grey with faint longitudinal lines, small reddish-brown to black marginal teeth and a long terminal spine.
• Prefers full sun , tolerates light partial shade, but full sun gives the best color and compact growth.
• Plant in very well-drained soil (sandy, gravelly, cactus/succulent mix with pumice/perlite); pH neutral to slightly alkaline; Avoid heavy clay or wet feet (root rot risk).
• Watering: extremely drought tolerant; soak-and-dry method — allowing soil to dry completely between waterings; keep sparingly in the growing season (spring/summer), keep almost dry in winter; Overwatering is fatal.
• Winter hardiness: good (USDA zones 9–11, sometimes up to 8b); tolerates frost down to about -6 to -10 °C in colder climates (such as the Netherlands) as a container plant to overwinter frost-free (min. 5–10 °C, light spot indoors).
• Fertilization: little to none; in case of emergency in spring, a low dose of diluted cactus fertilizer; avoid over-fertilization.
• Pruning: remove only dead leaves; Wear gloves and protective clothing (sharp spines and irritating juice).

Usage

• Mainly ornamental plant (ornamental): prized for architectural, round rosette, intense blue-gray color and sculptural form; Perfect for drought-resistant gardens, rock gardens, borders, containers, succulent gardens or as a solitary accent/focal point.
• Attracts attention in xeriscape and desert landscapes; flowers relatively early (after a few years) with a short flowering stem (up to 1.8–2 m) with pale yellow flowers.