A broad review of the history, discovery, introduction, taxonomy, nomenclature, distribution, habitats, ecology, and characteristics of Agave mitis (syn. A. celsii) is provided. A revised taxonomic concept is introduced: The invalidly published A. mitis var. albidior shows broad overlap in its diagnostic features (leaf colour and length of the tepal lobes) with A. mitis var. mitis and is therefore referred to the synonymy; no infraspecific taxa are recognized. A. ehrenbergii and A. goeppertiana are established as new synonyms. A neotype is designated for A. albicans. A. mitis is more widespread than previously known and occurs in the Mexican states of Coahuila, Nuevo León, Tamaulipas, San Luis Potosí, Guanajuato, Querétaro, Hidalgo and Puebla; a distribution map is given.