About

Agave guiengola 'Crème Brûlée' is a perennial succulent that grows slowly, creating an open rosette comprised of wide, thick, grey-green leaves. These leaves feature cream-colored edges, dark red-brown teeth along the sides, and brown spines at the tips. In cooler, sunlit environments, the leaf margins may exhibit a hint of pink. By late summer, mature specimens send up a tall floral spike adorned with pale yellow blooms.

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, Partial shade
Soil type
Loam, Sand
Soil pH
Acid, Neutral
Soil moisture
Well-drained
Aspect
South-facing, West-facing, East-facing
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness
H2

Plant details

Plant type
Cactus Succulent
Habit
Clump forming
Foliage
Evergreen
Height
1-1.5 metres
Spread
1-1.5 metres
Time to full height
10-20 years
Suggested uses
City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Gravel garden, Mediterranean climate plants, Patio and container plants, Rock 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 in well drained soil in a warm, sheltered spot. Water freely in summer and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser 3-4 times in the growing season. Keep almost dry in winter. Provide winter protection, or grow in a container and overwinter in a greenhouse or conservatory. Plants typically take 10-15 years to flower, and die off after flowering (monocarpic). See houseplant cacti and succulent cultivation for further information
Pruning
No pruning required
Propagation
Propagate by offsets taken in spring or autumn
Pest resistance
May be susceptible to scale insects
Disease resistance
Generally disease-free