June 11, 2025
Do you like squid games? I certainly do – if they are one of my favorite agaves, if accompanied by a beautifully tentacled squid agave (agave bracteosa). I look at that curved, barely “arm” and think, “That’s ink is generous!”
In the central gardens of Texas here, squid agaves are fantastic and all-purpose, all-purpose, in the pot, they love the heat, cold, drought, deer evidence (though they never say deer), shade. I can’t talk to it because I don’t seem to stick squid agaves on the ground.
why? Squid Agave is my favorite focal plant, looking good all year round and taking up not a ton of space. 1) Whenever I need to raise my eyes out of the boredom of a low garden bed, 2) draw attention to the gate, mark a step, 3) exit the axis view, or I paste the squid on top of it.
Get a tall container, fill it with garden soil mixed with decomposed granite and 50-50, pop it with squid agave, add even more heights with garden art, add layers of gravel and finish! Instant focus.
Squid Ligave requires little maintenance. Sometimes I blow or fish out the leaves and acorns that fall from the oaks. And when puppies (baby squid agave) appear alongside the mother plant, I gently pull them. This will make my mother’s plants clean and tidy, and make me an extra squid to plant elsewhere or share with friends.
Wear gloves when performing these tasks. Squid Ligave does not have dangerous thorns, but if you run your hand, the edges of the leaves may cut you off.
Are you craving something a little different? Try out a variety of squid agaves called “Monterrey Frost.” I like it too, but it grows slower and is more sensitive to the conflict of the sun.
The regular green squid agave is a stubborn plant that creates a beautiful accent. Get Kraken and get one of yourself.
Note: My Plants This post is primarily written for gardeners in Central Texas. The plants I recommend are those that I grow and have direct experience. Check your local or local independent nursery online forum to see if a particular factory works in your area.
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My new book, Gardens: Lone Star State, by Texas, can be pre-ordered on Amazon and other online book sellers. It will be released on October 14th, but a few months away, but pre-orders will be extremely helpful in making readers and reviewers aware of my book. If you want to read this fall, consider pre-ordering. For more information, please click here. Thank you for your support!
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