Product Field NotesCompanion Plants
Black Widow Agave: A Threaded Rosette for Sunny Lavender Patios
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Black Widow agave is a compact agave with narrow, sword-like dark green leaves whose edges peel into long, curly white threads. The fibers drape across the rosette like fine cobwebs, which explains the name. It grows slowly into a tidy, symmetrical ball about a foot tall.
Do not worry. It is far less dangerous than the spider, as long as you wear gloves around the tip spines.
Black Widow at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Agave schidigera 'Black Widow' |
| Foliage | Narrow dark green leaves with curly white marginal threads |
| Size | 12 to 16 inches tall, 18 to 22 inches wide |
| Growth | Slow, compact, symmetrical rosette |
| Flowers | Rarely; once after many years |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 9 to 10 |
| Light | Full sun |
| Deer | Resistant |
Why an agave belongs near lavender
Agave and lavender share a philosophy: full sun, sharp drainage, and please stop watering. That makes a potted Black Widow an easy summer companion. Set the container right in a gravel path between lavender rows, on a sunny patio step or at the corner of a raised bed. Its stiff, spiky rosette is a strong contrast to lavender's soft, billowy mounds, and the white threads catch light the way lavender's silver leaves do.
Because it is hardy only in zones 9 to 10, it cannot stay outdoors over a Great Lakes winter. A pot makes the seasonal move easy.
Container care
- Mix: fast-draining cactus mix, with extra grit if you like.
- Pot: one with a drainage hole. Terra cotta helps the soil dry out.
- Water: deeply, but only when the soil is completely dry.
- Moving outdoors: harden it off gradually in spring so the leaves do not sunburn.
- Handling: wear gloves. The spines are sharp and agave sap can irritate skin.
Bringing it in for winter
Before nights drop below about 40 degrees Fahrenheit, move the pot to a bright, cool window or greenhouse. Keep it nearly dry until spring; indoor agaves rest in winter and need very little water. When frost danger has passed, harden it off again and return it to its summer spot. The Frost Date Estimator helps with timing on both ends.
The plug tray
Black Widow is offered as a 72-cell plug tray, a good fit for growers potting up succulent displays or anyone building a collection of container plants. See the product page for current availability and the Wholesale Hub for tray orders.
Frequently asked questions
Will it flower?
Only once, after many years, and the main rosette dies after flowering. Most growers enjoy it for the foliage.
Can I plant it in the ground in Michigan?
Only for summer. It is not winter hardy here and must come indoors before cold nights.
How fast does it grow?
Slowly, which is part of its appeal. It stays a tidy container size for a long time.
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