Agave potatorum can be found widely throughout southern Puebla and Oaxaca between 4000'-7500', typically in sloping pine-oak woodland. The Nahuatl name, which is the language of the Aztecs, was Papalometl, meaning 'Butterfly'. I always liked this name as the plants can look like a fluttering butterfly, if you look at it right. The botanical name comes from 'potator', meaning 'of the drinkers,' likely due to its usage for a special type of mescal called 'tobal·' Agave potatorum are described as solitary plants, and typically this its true, however I have seen plants at a population in  Puebla that will offset prolifically.  Agave potatorum has a thin multi-branched inflorescence, that shoots up a tall 10-20' packed with small light green to yellow flowers, often tinged with red or purple on the buds. The plants are hardy to 25-30 degrees Fahrenheit and have a moderate growth rate to about 2-3' across and 1-2' high. The beautiful open rosettes can be green, blue or blue-gray, and do well in containers or used as a bold contrast against softer foliage plants in the landscape. 

Agave seemanniana was once part of the potatorum complex, and is indeed very similar visually. Some of the differences include A. potatorum having more and shorter leaves, and a less branched inflorescence. Also, be aware that this plant, or at least some forms of it, was formerly known as Agave verschaffeltii, which is now considered an archaic name (or a synonym of Agave isthmensis by some) but it still floats around and sometimes gets attached to certain clones, such as the beautiful variegated specimen on the following spread. 

The plants for sale here come from an exceptional population of offsetting plants as mentioned above. Plants will be shipped bare root and are currently in 5" pots.