This is a small agave that forms a dense rosette of narrow spikey, white-striped leaves lined with prominent white filaments. Older plants can form a modest trunk. It eventually will get almost two feet tall and wide. Like all species this plant is monocarpic (blooms at the end of its life). Its unbranched flower spike may rise to 16 feet, displaying greenish yellow flowers with pink tinges on the margins.

Plant in full to part sun, low water when established, hardy to 15°F.

This plant is probably pollinated by many insects like native bees.

Though smaller than other agaves in its region, it is still used to make mescals, food, and used for fibers.

The genus Agave is derived from Greek mythology being the daughter of Cadmus, who supposedly founded the city of Thebes; it generally translates to mean “noble’. The species name, multifilifera, refers to the multitudes of filaments coming off the spikey foliage.