About

Agave angustifolia is a robust, perennial succulent that typically grows without a stem, though some may develop a short stem reaching up to 50 cm. It forms a rosette that can expand to a diameter of 2 meters, featuring rigid, linear to lanceolate leaves that are green or grey-green, characterized by fine teeth on the margins and spines at the tips. When mature, the plant sends up a tall, branching flower spike adorned with small yellow-green blooms. After the flowering process, the primary rosette usually dies, but the plant often generates offsets.

About the genus

Agave consists of either perennial or monocarpic succulents that develop rosettes of typically stiff, thick, spiny leaves. The plants produce funnel-shaped flowers in racemes or panicles that often exceed the height of the rosettes.

Growing conditions

Sunlight

Full sun

Soil type

Loam, Sand

Soil pH

Acid, Neutral

Soil moisture

Well-drained

Aspect

South-facing

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness

H2

Plant details

Plant type

Cactus Succulent

Habit

Clump forming

Foliage

Evergreen

Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Spread

1.5-2.5 metres

Time to full height

10-20 years

Suggested uses

Architectural, Sub-tropical

Native to

Mexico to C America

Toxicity

Skin irritant. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets (dogs, cats): harmful if eaten. For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants

Care notes

Cultivation

Grow under glass in cactus compost, water freely when in growth, but keep almost dry over winter. Apply a dilute, liquid fertiliser 3 or 4 times during the growing season. Can be moved onto the patio during the summer months, but needs to overwinter in a greenhouse or conservatory. See hardy cacti and succulent cultivation for further advice

Pruning

No pruning required

Propagation

Propagate by seed, or by removing offsets in spring or autumn

Pest resistance

May be susceptible to scale insects

Disease resistance

Generally disease-free