Agave isthmensis - 2ga

Agave isthmensis is a compact, offsetting species from the Isthmus of Tehuantepec in Oaxaca, Mexico, where it grows on exposed hillsides among grasses and boulders from near sea level to roughly 2,800 feet. Known as the Dwarf Butterfly Agave or Maguey istmeño, it forms tight, powder-blue rosettes typically under a foot tall and wide, with ovate leaves that are broadest near the tip, narrowing toward the base, and ending in a dark terminal spine. The leaf margins display shallow rounded lobes with reddish-brown teeth that leave clear bud imprints, and plants pup freely to form tight clusters. Inland forms may reach slightly larger dimensions or show subtle differences in leaf texture. A slender 6–7 foot inflorescence appears in late summer, bearing yellow flowers often flushed with rusty tones; like most agaves, the species is monocarpic but offsets well before and after blooming. Formally distinguished from Agave potatorum in 1993 by García-Mendoza and Palma Cruz, it is now recognized as a distinct species with consistent floral and vegetative traits. In cultivation it thrives in full sun near the coast or part sun inland, requiring gritty, well-drained soil and only occasional irrigation, especially during winter. It remains hardy to about 25–30°F, with brief dips around 26°F tolerated. Owing to its small size, symmetrical form, and drought tolerance, it is well suited to containers, rock gardens, and xeric designs where its powder-blue foliage provides a neat architectural accent.