About

This evergreen succulent develops a rosette shape and features slender, spineless leaves that are rubbery and arch gracefully. The lime-green foliage is accented with red spots and has red-tipped ends.

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
Sand
Soil pH
Acid
Soil moisture
Well-drained
Aspect
South-facing, West-facing
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness
H4

Plant details

Plant type
Cactus Succulent
Habit
Bushy
Foliage
Evergreen
Height
0.1-0.5 metres
Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height
10-20 years
Suggested uses
City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, Sub-tropical, Gravel garden
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 in full light. Water freely in summer, giving a low-nitrogen feed three or four times. Water less in autumn and keep dry in winter. Hardier than most agaves, and may survive outdoors in a warm position in very well-drained, slightly acid soil in full sun. See hardy cacti and succulent cultivation for further advice
Pruning
No pruning required
Propagation
Propagate by seed. Dies after flowering and does not produce offsets
Pest resistance
May be susceptible to scale insects
Disease resistance
Generally disease-free