This is Agave gemniflora. This plant is excellent for large containers, growing to about 2 feet in size.

I would avoid too much hot sun with this species, and this would depend on your location. It's best to acclimate it first.

It originates from Nayarit, Mexico growing in Oak forests around 3000+ feet in elevation.

I'm not sure about that ID, Tom. It looks more like A. striata or stricta to me. I can't tell from your photo, Christopher, but those two have longitudinal lines along the leaves.

Brad

I know there are some without, but I see no filaments on the leaf edges. Are the terminal spines 1/4 inch or 1/2 inch? Consider Agave stricta as a posibility. Any chance to get a closer shot of a leaf (top & side)?

Is the leaf cross-section flat (geminiflora) or round (stricta/striata)?

If it's stricta or striata, the terminal spines are long and SHARP. Easy to inject them deep into your skin or eye. Be extra-careful with this one.

Too cool! Jealous

Thanks for the replies! The cross-section is definitely round, I would say the terminal spines are closer to 1/4 inch than 1/2 inch. But again, this is a young plant, in 4" pot. Surprised to see it at Lowe's here in New England. Being short on cash, did not purchase. I am sure i will regret it! Price was $4.98.

Christopher

I have A. stricta also. Those leaves are quite stiff and rigid, whereas geminiflora are much more flexible.

See the link to a photo from a similar angle as Kris's.

If you compare the nodes, on gemniflora, you will see a lighter edge than on stricta which does not have that edge. The nodes also tend to wrap more onto the basal rosette unlike stricta.

The leaves in the Kris's photo are shiny and appear to lack the longitudinal lines of stricta. Also, stricta is generally a lighter green vs. the dark green leaves of gemniflora.

There are some closeups of stricta on another site which I can't post here, but if you Google it, you can see the difference of the nodes.

Here is a link that might be useful: A. gemniflora photo