About
Agave atrovirens var. atrovirens is a substantial agave variety indigenous to the elevated areas of central and southern Mexico. This species is distinguished by its large, thick leaves that arrange themselves into a prominent rosette. It can send up a flowering stalk that reaches heights exceeding 6 meters (20 feet) in its natural habitat. The blooms, which are usually yellow-green, emerge after several years of development. As a monocarpic plant, it flowers only once before dying, but it typically generates offsets prior to its demise.
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, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H2
Plant details
- Plant type
- Cactus Succulent, Conservatory Greenhouse, Houseplants
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 2.5-4 metres
- Spread
- 2.5-4 metres
- Time to full height
- 10-20 years
- Suggested uses
- Architectural, City and courtyard gardens, Gravel garden, Houseplants, Sub-tropical
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow under glass in a standard cactus and succulent compost, in bright, filtered light. When in active growth water moderately and feed sparingly, every three or four weeks with a balanced liquid feed. Over-fertilizing can encourage excessive, weak growth. In winter, reduce watering and keep almost dry as the plant goes into dormancy. See houseplant cacti and succulent cultivation for further information
- Pruning
- No pruning required
- Propagation
- Propagate by offsets taken in spring or summer
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to scale insects
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free