Outdoor, full sun; tolerates light shade
Smooth Agave
Agave desmettiana, a medium agave with arching, nearly spineless blue-green leaves. Full sun to light shade, and very little water.
AED 38each
Prices include 5% VAT.
Options
Quantity
- Smooth Agave × 1
- AED 38
- Total
- AED 38
Free delivery in Dubai over AED 199.
Or split into 4 interest-free payments withtabby
Next-day delivery in Dubai, free over AED 199 (AED 30 below). Outside Dubai: Sharjah AED 100, other emirates AED 200. Fees include VAT
Arrives damaged or wrong? Send a photo on WhatsApp on the day of delivery and we'll replace or refund it.
- Light
- Full sun; tolerates light shade
- Water
- Every 7–10 days in summer, every 2–3 weeks in winter
- Where
- Outdoor
Why people love it
- Arching, nearly spineless leaves form a soft, sculptural rosette.
- Arching pale leaves take full sun in a gravel bed.
- Fleshy leaves store water, so it rarely needs irrigating.
- Soft arching rosettes fit a dry Mediterranean-style border.
Worth knowing
- The ASPCA does not list it, so check with a vet if you have pets.
- The rosette widens slowly over many years.
- Heavy clay that stays wet rots the crown.
- Cut leaves release a sap that can itch.
About this plant
Smooth Agave (Agave desmettiana), also called dwarf century plant, is a succulent native to Mexico. It forms a symmetrical rosette of smooth, arching blue-green leaves with very few or no marginal teeth, which makes it easier to place near paths than most agaves. Mature plants flower once on a tall spike, then the main rosette dies and leaves offsets.
It is very well suited to Dubai. It handles full sun, intense heat and long dry spells, and tolerates sandy soil. Young plants can show some leaf scorching in the harshest summer sun if moved suddenly from shade, so acclimatize them over a week or two. It must have fast drainage and should not be planted under lawn sprinklers.
It works in gravel gardens, rock gardens, modern desert-style landscapes, pool surrounds and large planters on sunny balconies and terraces. It is sold in a single size, ready for a pot or bed.
- Light
- Full sun; tolerates light shade
- Water
- Every 7–10 days in summer, every 2–3 weeks in winter
- AC
- Keep it 1 metre from vents
- Pets
- Not listed in the ASPCA database (checked under Smooth Agave, Dwarf Century Plant, Agave, Century Plant and Agave desmettiana).
Why Green Beetle, Not a Nursery
What changes when you buy here instead of collecting from a nursery.
| Compare | Plant Nursery | Green Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Plant quality | Grown outdoors, stressed indoors | Acclimatized for Dubai interiors |
| Before dispatch | Not checked | Checked for damage |
| Repotting | Needed straight away | Fresh soil, not needed |
| Delivery | You collect | Delivered, packed properly |
| After-care | None | WhatsApp help from our team |
Every plant is checked at our shop in Warsan 3 before it is dispatched. Questions about Smooth Agave? Message us on WhatsApp.
Care Guide for Dubai Homes
How to keep Smooth Agave healthy through the Dubai year.
Light
Full sun; tolerates light shade. Keep it out of harsh direct afternoon sun in summer.
Watering
Every 7–10 days in summer, every 2–3 weeks in winter. Water when the top 2 to 3 cm of soil feels dry, empty the saucer afterwards, and check the soil before you water: AC slows how fast the plant uses water.
Care notes
Soil: sandy, gravelly or cactus mix with excellent drainage. Feeding: a light cactus fertilizer once in spring is enough. Common mistake: watering it as often as surrounding garden plants, which rots the base. Where it works: gravel and rock gardens, desert-style landscapes, pool surrounds and sunny terrace planters.
AC and air flow
Keep it at least 1 metre from AC vents. Cold air blowing straight onto the leaves dries the edges.
Cleaning the leaves
Dust settles quickly in Dubai homes. Wipe the leaves with a damp cloth every few weeks so they keep taking in light.
Feeding and repotting
Feed once a month from March to October. Repot every 2 years into a pot one size up, or book a Plant Doctor visit and we do it for you.
Pets
Not listed in the ASPCA database (checked under Smooth Agave, Dwarf Century Plant, Agave, Century Plant and Agave desmettiana). Check with your vet if you have pets. Agave sap is widely reported to irritate skin.
Need Help Later On?
Book a Plant Doctor visit: our team checks the plant, changes the soil, feeds, prunes and cleans it, and shows you how to keep it healthy.
Book a Plant Doctor VisitComplete Your Space
Goes well with
White Gravel
AED 42
Marigold
AED 38
Myrtle
AED 39
Flax Lily
AED 39
Snowflake
AED 44- 60 cm
Tamarind Tree
AED 250- 1.5 m
Spineless Agave
AED 35- 2 sizes
Summer Cypress
AED 25- 40 cm
Smooth Agave FAQs
Does Smooth Agave have spines?
It has very few or no teeth along the leaf edges, though the leaf tip can still be pointed.
How often should I water it in summer?
Every 7–10 days in summer is usually enough, letting the soil dry completely between waterings.
Can it grow in a pot?
Yes. Use a pot with drainage holes and a cactus mix, and place it in full sun.
Is it toxic to pets?
It is not listed in the ASPCA database. Agave sap can irritate skin, so check with your vet if you have pets.
Need 10 or more for an office, hotel or restaurant?
We install and maintain them too, with one written quote.