Spherical geometry
Dozens of narrow leaves extend in every direction to form a compact ball.
Agave stricta 'nana' 13cm
Normal price
€12,00
What does the legal guarantee mean for plants?
The legal guarantee concerns the plant’s conformity at delivery. It is not a guarantee of survival or growth for two years. Each issue is assessed taking into account the nature of the plant, its care and the conditions in which it is kept. Your statutory rights remain unaffected.
Agave stricta 'nana'
If it hurts you, that is on you. It warned you. With spikes. ✋
- Asparagaceae
- Dwarf spherical form
- Very strong light
- Minimal watering
- Sharp tips
Agave stricta 'nana' turns dozens of narrow rigid leaves into an almost perfect radiating sphere. Repeated lines emerge from a tight centre to create a futuristic form with exceptional presence.
Despite its compact footprint, it reads like a clean architectural object in gravel, terracotta or a strict matte cachepot. It suits anyone who loves sculptural agaves and wants a dwarf form that looks impressive long before it reaches a large size.
What makes it special
Density, radial symmetry and countless narrow tips create one of the most graphic silhouettes in the category.
Dwarf collector proportions
The smaller form preserves the species’ intensity at a scale suited to a pot and curated collection.
Strict linear texture
Every leaf acts as a fine ray, completed by a sharp terminal point.
Why you will love it: it delivers dramatic agave architecture at a controlled scale and gives a bright space immediate design character.
In your spacePlacement & plant pairingsWhere it looks its best and which plants complement it
Where it looks its best
Show it in full sun or an exceptionally bright sheltered position, preferably where it can be viewed without sitting in a traffic line. Gravel and natural terracotta reinforce its xeric identity.
Plants that complement it
Pair it with low compact succulents that leave space around the sharp rays and share a similar drying cycle.
- Myrtillocactus geometrizans — a blue vertical line behind the spherical green rosette.
- Echeveria lilacina — soft silver-lilac surface as a low contrast.
- Mammillaria bombycina — silky white spines repeat the radial motif at another scale.
Care at a glance
Light
Full sun or exceptionally bright light after gradual acclimation.
Water
Deep, infrequent watering only after the mix is completely dry.
Climate
Dry air, rapid drainage and protection from prolonged damp cold or frost.
Pets
Terminal points can injure eyes and skin. Keep it away from paths.
For this plant
Substrate & nutrition
Detailed careComplete care guideLight, drying cycle, climate, substrate and nutrition in detail
Light and position
Abundant sun maintains the dense sphere. Acclimate gradually and keep it away from locations where people or animals brush past.
Watering correctly
Soak only after the entire root zone has dried. Frequency drops sharply in autumn and winter, especially in a cool position.
Air and rain
The rosette needs airflow and rapid drying. Outdoors, avoid weeks of continuous rain that leave the mix constantly wet.
Temperature and growth
Growth is strongest with warmth and light. A dry plant tolerates cool nights better than wet cold, but a potted specimen should be protected from frost.
Substrate
Use a highly mineral fast mix for agaves and succulents. Heavy roots need a stable pot with clear drainage, not excessive extra volume.
Feeding and repotting
During warm active growth, a low-nitrogen fertiliser at half strength or less every six to eight weeks is enough. Do not feed in cold conditions or without new leaves.
Botanical identityIdentity & natural originAccepted name, origin of the form and natural distribution
A newer accepted classification
The species long known as Agave stricta Salm-Dyck is now accepted by Kew as Echinoagave stricta (Salm-Dyck) A.Vázquez, Rosales & García-Mor., a combination published in 2024.
What nana and ‘Minas Asbestos’ mean
f. nana and the trade name ‘Minas Asbestos’ describe a dwarf cultivated form. No full public record of breeder, year or clonal selection was located, so they are not treated as a formal natural rank.
Origin in Puebla and Oaxaca
The natural species is native to south-western Puebla and north-western Oaxaca, Mexico, in seasonally dry tropical landscapes and very bright rocky sites.
From natural habitat to home care: rocky Mexican slopes provide intense sun, little organic matter and immediate runoff. A pot must mirror this with a mineral mix, complete dry-down and strict avoidance of prolonged wet cold.
Greenleaf for Plant NerdsScientific details nobody asked forBotanical details for anyone who wants to know what lies behind the plant’s appearance
Leaves become numerous rays
The near-spherical form results from extremely dense phyllotaxis of narrow rigid leaves.
A new genus from modern taxonomy
Transfer to Echinoagave reflects a recent reassessment of related groups within Agavoideae.
A monocarpic rosette
Like agaves, the main rosette flowers once after long maturation, investing reserves in a tall inflorescence.
Fibres strengthen the leaves
Parallel vascular and fibre bundles help narrow leaves remain rigid and radiating.
Frequently asked questions
Useful answers about placement, watering, seasonal behaviour and the plant’s distinctive traits.
01Is it officially Agave or Echinoagave?
Trade still uses Agave stricta, while Kew currently accepts Echinoagave stricta.
02Does it need full sun?
Yes for the densest shape, but a greenhouse-grown plant must be acclimated gradually.
03When should it be watered?
Only after the entire pot is dry. Then soak deeply and let it drain.
04Can it tolerate cold?
A dry plant handles cool conditions better than damp ones, but potted plants should be protected from frost and prolonged winter rain.
05Will it stay dwarf?
The form is more compact than the typical species, but it still matures and slowly increases in diameter.
06Is it suitable beside a walkway?
No. Tips need clearance from eyes, hands and paws, even while the rosette is small.
📦 Your plant travels protected
Every order is prepared with care so your plant arrives upright, secure and safe.
Individual protection
Plants in pots with a capacity of 3 litres or more are placed in individual boxes that hold the pot securely and reduce the risk of tipping over.
Sturdy packaging
We use reinforced cardboard designed to protect against impacts and vibration during transport.