With their bold, architectural forms and tolerance for heat and drought, agaves are prized staples of dry climate gardens. But what if you want the distinctive agave look in your landscape without actually growing agave? Luckily, there are a number of plants that closely resemble the iconic rosette shape and structural foliage of agave.
In this article we’ll explore some of the best agave lookalikes to consider for your garden. Ranging from succulents like yuccas and euphorbias to tropicals like bromeliads and ornamental grasses these surprising plants can mimic the unique texture and style of agave.
Why Grow Agave Lookalikes?
Here are some reasons you may want plants that resemble agave without being true species:
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You live outside the ideal climate zone for agave success. Many agave mimics are more cold hardy or humidity tolerant.
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You want to avoid the sharp spines and toxicity of some agave species around pets or children. Some alternatives have softer foliage.
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Certain agave lookalikes bloom more prolifically or have more striking blooms than common agave species
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Some agave doppelgangers are smaller in size for using in containers or smaller spaces.
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You want diversity in your dry garden design. Alternatives add intrigue mixed with real agaves.
Top Plants That Can Substitute for Agave
Yucca
With their rosette growth habit and stiff, spiky leaves, many yucca species naturally resemble agave. Options like Yucca filamentosa or Yucca gloriosa make excellent agave stand-ins. Some yucca have more tender foliage and less ferocious spines than agave.
Dasylirion
Commonly called desert spoon or green desert spoon, plants in the Dasylirion genus look so much like agave they are often mistaken for them. Dasylirion have grassy, spoon-shaped leaves. Though smaller in stature than some agaves, they create a similar look.
Euphorbia
Certain euphorbia in the subgenus Euphorbia resemble agave with their circle of thick, succulent leaves radiating from a central point. Euphorbia ingens and Euphorbia ammak are two examples. They make perfect agave duplicates for containers.
Nolina
Also called beargrass, nolina have long, stiff, dagger-shaped foliage that emulates the look of an agave or yucca. Some species like Nolina nelsonii have a bold rosette shape. Nolina are drought tolerant but handle more humidity and precipitation than true agave.
Bromeliad
With their spiraling rosette growth pattern, bromeliads like the Quesnelia species capture the whorl of foliage associated with some agaves. Their colorful bracts and blooms offer a showier flower display. Bromeliads thrive in warm, humid conditions that agave dislike.
Beschorneria
This succulent’s crown of arching, gray-green leaves closely copies the look of certain agave species. But unlike true agave, beschorneria produces a tall bloom stalk covered in tubular pink and red flowers that attracts hummingbirds.
Cordyline
The stiff, sword-shaped leaves and clustering growth habit of cordyline like Cordyline australis or Cordyline fruticosa mimic the appearance of smaller agaves like Agave attenuata. They bring vibrant color options with variegated varieties.
Ornamental Grasses
Grasses aren’t often associated with agave, but selections like blue fescue or miscanthus ‘Strictus’ can emulate the dense, vertical leaves of some agave when grouped together. Their fine textures contrast nicely with real agave.
Furcraea
Part of the asparagus family, furcraea look so similar to agave they are known as false agave. But they produce bulbous flowers unlike the tubular bells of true agave. Varieties like Furcraea foetida offer the same imposing presence as larger agave.
Tips for Using Agave Lookalikes
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Choose lookalikes adapted to your climate. For example, yucca and cordyline suit humid zones where agave struggle.
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Mix mimics with real agave for added interest and contrast.
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Use lookalikes in containers near pools or play areas if you want to avoid spiny agave leaves.
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Substitute smaller doppelgangers like euphorbia in spots where mature agave would overpower.
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Let lookalikes provide seasonal bloom color to contrast plain agave.
The Benefits of Agave Lookalikes
While you can’t fully duplicate the unique qualities of true agave, these similar-looking plants come close in terms of form and function:
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** Architectural Structure:** With striking shapes and silhouettes, agave mimics add sculptural structure to the garden.
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Texture: Thick, rigid foliage provides tactile contrast paired with softer plants.
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Size: Alternatives range from small-scale to bold focal points.
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Low Maintenance: Most adapt well to drought, heat and poor soil like agave.
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Multi-season Interest: Some offer more abundant or colorful blooms.
Alternative Uses for Agave Lookalikes
While their rosette shape suits using agave lookalikes in place of actual agave, consider these other ways to incorporate them:
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Feature as bold focal points in border plantings or rock gardens.
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Edge a walkway or demarcate “outdoor rooms” for visual separation.
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Grow en masse for big impact in expansive dry gardens.
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Contrast with fine-textured grasses and delicate perennials.
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Add height, structure and texture to mixed succulent containers.
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Grow in groups staggered heights for a dramatic vertical display.
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Pair with boulders and rock mulch to echo their craggy textures.
Achieving the Agave Look Without the Pain
Known for their spiny leaves and toxic sap, agaves present some challenges in spite of their strong visual appeal. Therefore, growing agave lookalikes can allow you to accomplish the aesthetic benefits of agave without the potential pain!
If you love the unique sculptural form of agave but want options better suited to your climate or space, give their plant doppelgangers a try. Yuccas, euphorbias, bromeliads and other mimics profiled here can help you recreate the distinctive agave style you admire.
Common Questions About Agave Lookalikes
What is the best agave lookalike for containers?
Euphorbia and beschorneria work excellently in containers. Their smaller size suits pots and their sculptural shapes mimic agave.
Are there any agave lookalikes that bloom well?
Yucca, bromeliads, beschorneria and furcraea all tend to have more prolific, colorful blooms than true agave species.
What plants create a look similar to variegated agave?
Cordyline, especially the varieties ‘Red Star’ and ‘Cherry Ripe’ offer colorful variegated foliage like some variegated agaves.
Are there agave lookalikes that are pet and kid friendly?
Yucca and ornamental grasses offer softer leaves without the spiny edges of some agaves, making them better choices around children and pets.
What agave mimics work best in humid climates?
Cordyline, bromeliads, beschorneria and nolina handle humid conditions well unlike true agave.
Final Thoughts
Whether you live in an area unsuited to growing agave or simply want to experiment with new plants, incorporating agave lookalikes can help you achieve the decorative, sculptural look you love. Their unique forms and textures add intrigue and contrast to the landscape.
Next time you are designing a dry garden bed, rock garden, succulent planting or border, consider alternatives that borrow the elegance of agave. Blending mimics together with true agave species creates fun, diverse plantings with year-round interest.
With a wealth of options to substitute for agave beyond actual agave, you can enjoy the beauty without the drawbacks. Let these stunning doppelgangers be the bold focal points and textural accents that lend your garden a dynamic, desert-inspired vibe.
