Family: Agavaceae

Originally from Mexico, these evergreen succulents have large, fleshy leaves forming into clumps to about 1 m (3 ft) high. Dramatic red stalks produce an interesting raceme of funnel-shaped green flowers surrounded by red bracts. The flowers are edible and the leaves have been used as a soap substitute.

Species

B. tubiflora grows to over 1 m (3 ft) high, with a compact basal rosette of gray-green foliage. The flower stems, which are generally taller than the foliage, have red-purple bracts holding reddish green flowers in spring. B. yuccoides, Mexican lily, is quite spectacular, with long, sword-shaped, fleshy, gray-green leaves, and brilliant apple green flowers and red bracts. It grows to a height of 2 m (6 ft).

Cultivation

While they are not at all difficult to cultivate, these succulents prefer a warm climate and a well-drained, sandy compost of mortar rubble and loam. They propagate easily from offshoots potted in sandy soil at almost any time of the year.

Climate

Can be grown in zone 9 and above.