How much sun does Coastal agave need?

Coastal agave grows best in full sun conditions.

When does Coastal agave bloom?

Coastal agave blooms in March, April, and May.

Where is Coastal agave native?

Coastal agave (Agave shawii) is native to CA, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.

What pollinators does Coastal agave attract?

Coastal agave draws bats, hummingbirds, and native bees.

Coastal agave

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Agave shawii

Last reviewed: November 2026

Coastal agave (Agave shawii) is a perennial succulent native to CA. It blooms in March, April, and May. The flowers draw bats, hummingbirds, and native bees.

Watering reminders and freeze alerts for Coastal agave, free in the app.

Toxicity unknown

Coastal agave (Agave shawii) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

full sun

Water

low

Size

18"–36" H × 24"–48" W

Bloom

Mar, Apr, May

Native to

Pollinators

bats, hummingbirds, native bees

Before you buy

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Southern California/Northern Baja Coast

A slow-growing succulent forming a rosette of stiff, spine-tipped gray-green leaves. After many years it sends up a tall flowering stalk with yellow blooms, then the rosette dies, though offsets often persist nearby.

Growing Coastal agave

Grow Coastal agave in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 18 to 36 inches tall and spread 24 to 48 inches wide.

Wildlife value

The tall flower stalks provide nectar for hummingbirds and native bees, and in parts of its range for nectar-feeding bats.

Common questions

How much sun does Coastal agave need?: Coastal agave grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Coastal agave bloom?: Coastal agave blooms in March, April, and May.
Where is Coastal agave native?: Coastal agave (Agave shawii) is native to CA, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
What pollinators does Coastal agave attract?: Coastal agave draws bats, hummingbirds, and native bees.

Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

See all plant problem guides

Ready to grow Coastal agave? Add it to your garden in the Pollinator Patch App to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

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