Family: Asparagaceae
Scientific: Agave tequilana
Common name: Tequila Agave
Origin: Mexico

The well-known alcoholic drink Tequila is made from this special, blue-gray agave type. The plant grows in the central part of Mexico and grows at altitudes above 1500 meters. The leaf is thick and fleshy, and can grow up to 3 meters long in nature. When the plant is fully grown, a floweringstem can appear from the growing point. This grows a stem of up to 5 meters high and forms yellow flowers that are pollinated by bats. After flowering the mother plant dies, but the side shoots continue to grow and the plant also produces seeds. Many sugars are stored in the heart of the plant and this part is therefore important for the production of tequila. The harvest can take place after 7 to 14 years, with the leaf being removed from the heart. The heart is then roasted and then pressed to release the sugary liquid. Fermentation with a type of bacteria creates alcohol in this liquid and thus a drink that has come to be called tequila. De tequila-agave kan gehouden worden als kuip- of kamerplant en houdt van een zonnige standplaats. Zorg daarnaast voor een zandrijke grond en geef water als deze grond volledig droog is.

Sowing Description: Soak the seeds for 12 hours in lukewarm water and then sow superficially in a mix of sowing and cutting soil and sand (1: 1). Keep it constantly moist and set it aside in a light spot. During the day the optimum temperature is 20-25 ° C and & rsquo; 15-18 ° C at night. Germination often takes 1 to 3 months and is less easy than with other Agave varieties.

Sowing time: Year round
Difficulty: Intermediate
Minimum temperature: 5 degrees Celsius