Agave Geminiflora (a-GAH-vee jem-in-ih-FLOR-uh) or Twin Flower Agave is also known as the pincushion agave. The hundreds of leaves form a whorl of dense, symmetrical, rounded, dense compact rosette.
Agave geminiflora is a herbaceous perennial with a rosette basal growth habit and forms a single flower stalk when it matures.
The plant has a slow growth rate in the shade or full sun, and the rosettes top out at about 2′ feet high with a spread of about 3′ feet.
The flower colors are greenish yellow with a reddish or purple blush. The flowers grow in pairs on either side of a tall, straight unbranched spike. This type of agave is monocarpic, meaning that after the plant blooms, it dies. But the bloom comes when the plant is in full sun and matures. It takes 10 to 15 years for these plants to mature.
Light and Temperature
This plant type of agave does well in a wide range of light exposures from filtered light shade to full sun.
It can even tolerate almost total and partial shade.
Twin Flowered Agave is sensitive to frost and will be injured at temperatures lower than 25° degrees Fahrenheit.
When the plant has been injured by cold, the foliage takes on a reddish hue.
This can happen because of a sudden frost or occur over time when nighttime temperatures dip below 40° degrees Fahrenheit on a regular basis.
Watering and Feeding
The Agave geminiflora does well with a dry to medium watering schedule.
Summer watering – Irrigate semi-regularly throughout the summer months for the healthiest appearance.
Plants do not need watering during the autumn, winter or springtime.
Although this plant is drought tolerant, it grows best with:
- Even moisture throughout the growing season
- Sharply reduced moisture during the off seasons
Grooming and Maintenance
This is a carefree agave. No maintenance or grooming are necessary.
However, after flowering, you can remove the flower stalk and collect the seeds.
Look carefully to see if your plant may have produced an offset to take its place after blooming.
In moist condition, snails and slugs might chew on the foliage.
Likewise excessive watering can cause root rot and other fungus related problems.