Agave tequilana

Agave tequiliana Weber, blue variety, commonly shortened to “blue agave” is the type of agave behind tequila, but Agave tequiliana is also used in many other states, and internationally, because it is easy to cultivate, grows fast, and has a high sugar content. It is a medium-large plant with blue pencas and a round rosette. This maguey matures in 5-8 years and can grow up to five meters, or 16 feet. It flowers between May and July and can reproduce via hijuelo, bulbilo, and seed.

Most Agave tequiliana is produced via hijuelo, or cloning. In order to grow from seed, some agaves must be allowed to produce a quiote, flower, and go to seed. Agave grown from seed needs more time to mature (7-10 years) but increases the genetic diversity of the overall crop, making it less succeptible to pests, bacteria, and fungi. Quiotes also provide a valuable food source for the Mexican long-nosed bat. For the above reasons, more producers are allowing a portion of their crops to go to seed, allowing them to breed for genetic diversity and produce “bat-friendly tequila.”

It grows in Jalsico, Tamaulipas, Zacatecas, Oaxaca