New Mexico Century Plant.
Agave neomexicana, Agave Family ( Agaveae or Agavaceae ), New Mexico Century Plant. Also called: Mescal.

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A sub species of Agave parryi.

A thick-leafed evergreen succulent which dies after blooming. It has pointed leaves which form a basal rosette. It has a slow growth rate. It becomes very large.

Regarding tequila. Technically, tequila is a type of mezcal, however all mezcals are not tequila. To be a true tequila, it must be derived from Agave tequilana Weber azul, or more commonly known as the Webers Blue variety of Agave tequilana.The tequila also must be produced in the Mexican state of Jalisco, in the town of Tequila.

We have been to Tequila and you can smell the fermenting for several miles away. Mezcal is made from one of 5 or 6 species of Agave. Agave neomexicana, is one sometimes used for mescal, not tequila.

Quick Notes:

Height: 3 feet tall. It spreads to about 4 feet.

Flowers: A large stalk emerges from the center of the plant, it becomes 15 to 20 feet tall. Then pink or red buds emerge opening to gold yellow flowers emerge from the stalk.

Flowering Time: Phoenix Arizona, Mid March - April.

Leaves: The leaves are blue - gray or light gray about 1 foot long by about 5 inches across. The leaf margins have dark brown teeth that are curved back towards the base of the plant.

Found: The USDA claims it is native to the USA (NM, TX)). Native of the oak-juniper grassland on the Sierra Papanton at the Durango-Zacatecas border. About 7,500 feet elevation.

Hardiness: Said to be hardy to -20�F.

USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 �C (-20 �F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 �C (-15 �F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 �C (-10 �F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 �C (-5 �F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 �C (0 �F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 �C (5 �F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 �C (10 �F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 �C (15 �F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 �C (20 �F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 �C (25 �F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 �C (30 �F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 �C (35 �F)

Soil pH requirements:
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
7.9 to 8.5 (alkaline)

Sun Exposure:
Full Sun

Elevation: 0 - 7,500 Feet. In Arizona.

Habitat: It grows well in sand, sandy loam. It needs good drainage and aeration. It is remarkably tolerant of alkali.

Miscellaneous: Maintenance: Low.