Agave "Sharkskin Shoes" - 2ga

Agave ‘Sharkskin Shoes’ is a medium-sized hybrid agave from northern Mexico, selected from natural crosses involving Agave asperrima and the ferdinandi-regis form of Agave victoriae-reginae (now treated as Agave nickelsiae). It forms a compact rosette 2 to 3 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide, with thick triangular leaves that are dark gray-green, rigid, and matte in texture, giving rise to the “sharkskin” comparison. The leaves are smooth-margined but end in a strong terminal spine, and plants may produce occasional offsets that form small colonies with age. Compared to a similar clone distributed by the Huntington Botanical Garden, this form—circulated by the Ruth Bancroft Garden and named ‘Sharkskin Shoes’—is a bit more upright and is reported to be less prone to mealybug. Flowering is rare and occurs only on mature rosettes, which produce a tall stalk of greenish blooms before dying back, with offsets continuing growth. In cultivation it grows well in full sun or bright shade with well-drained soil, requiring only light, occasional irrigation and performing reliably in summer-dry climates. Hardy to roughly 20–25°F, it suits USDA Zones 9–11 with protection from hard freezes. Its sturdy form, distinctive texture, and moderate size make it a useful structural plant for xeric landscapes, rock gardens, containers, and modern designs where a bold, architectural accent is desired.