Agave geminiflora

Agave geminiflora is a beautiful Mexican agave species with long, flexible, light green leaves, ending in a tip. Reaching a height of 1.2m (4ft), it forms a regular, hemispherical clump. Not hardy, it should only be planted in regions with mild and warm climates. Plant in the sun or in light shade, in rocky and well-drained soil, sheltered from cold winds. A well-established plant can withstand short frosts of around -8°C (17.6°F).

The twin-flowered agave is a rare and localised succulent species, native to a very small region in central Mexico, in the state of Nayarit. It belongs to the Asparagaceae family (formerly Agavaceae), just like yuccas or tuberose. In its natural habitat, it grows along rocky streams, in deciduous oak forests located between 1000 and 1400m (3281 and 4593ft) altitude. Curiously, although this species was among the first discovered in the genus in 1817, its traces were lost until its "rediscovery" in the 1950s. However, it remains very uncommon in cultivation. The twin-flowered agave is distinguished by a low habit, on a short trunk, eventually forming an almost perfect sphere over 1m (3ft) in diameter. The leaves are initially light green then darker, and are soft, narrow, and end in a point. Their thick lamina is slightly convex on the upper surface. Fine white filaments detach along their margin. These leaves can turn red if exposed to strong sunlight. Unlike other agaves, this species almost never produces suckers from the stump. After about 10 years, the rosette produces a gigantic yellow-green flower spike, reaching 3 to 4m (10 to 13ft) in height, sometimes more. The species name comes from the fact that the flowers are grouped in pairs on the inflorescence. The species is semelparous, meaning that the rosette dies once the (long) flowering is over, but not without producing some suckers at the base.

Agave geminiflora is subjected to relatively dry conditions in its natural habitat, which gives it excellent heat resistance, and a certain resistance to droughts even though it will be more beautiful in soil that does not completely dry out. However, it requires very well-drained soil, otherwise the thick and fleshy stump can easily rot. Given its Mexican origins, the plant remains quite sensitive to cold and will be damaged beyond -8°C (17.6°F), even -10°C (14°F). Therefore, choose a cool, dry, rocky location, sheltered from cold winds, in the sun or in light shade. In a region with humid winters, it would be wiser to overwinter it in a large pot. Maintenance is otherwise minimal.

For exotic scenes, it will have a beautiful effect in a large rockery, alongside other agaves like Agave montana, as well as with Beschorneria, agapanthus, or tall grasses like Stipa gigantea.