Queen Victoria Agave. Agave victoriae-reginae, Agave Family ( Agaveae ), Queen Victoria Agave. We wish to thank Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia for some of the information on this page. We share images and information with Wikipedia. Agave victoriae-reginae is named after the English queen Victoria. Queen Victoria's agave is a species of agave which forms a compact rosette of short, rigid, dark green, spine-tipped leaves with conspicuous white markings and smooth, toothless margins. It is a very nice agave but it does have a very sharp terminal spine at the end of each leaf. Some plants will lose their white markings, and when this happens, the markings usually never come back. Agave victoriae-reginae is a slow growing plant and it may take as long as 40 years before it ever blooms. When it blooms it sends up a flower stalk that is 10 to 15 feet tall with pale green to cream flowers. The plant dies soon after blooming. The slow growth creates a rather steep price for mature specimens. But, it also means that the plant will be around for a while if planted young. Agave victoriae-reginae is found across the Chihuahuan Desert, where there are about a half-dozen subspecies located. It is cold-hardy as agaves go to about 10� F. Can take full sun in Phoenix or Tucson. Quick Notes: Height: Up to 3 feet tall and 3 feet wide. Flowers: Its flowers are pale green to cream flowers on 10 - 15 foot unbranched spikes. Flowering Time: Phoenix Arizona, Mid February. Leaves: The leaves symmetrical rosettes of narrow, dark green leaves. They have a slight red - brown tip. Be very careful of the sharp spines on the leaves. Found: Native to northern Mexico, in Coahuila, Durango, Nuevo Leon, & Chihuahua. It is endangered there! Hardiness: 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) USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 �C (40 �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 - 5,000 feet. In Arizona. Habitat: Native in sand, sandy loam, clay and other heavy soils. It needs good drainage and aeration. It is remarkably tolerant of alkali. Hardy to 10� F. Miscellaneous: Maintenance: Low. Photos Taken; Arizona - Sonora Desert Museum, near Tucson, Arizona. September 29, 2006.