About
Agave macroacantha is a rosette-forming succulent that typically reaches dimensions of 60 cm in height and width. It features slender, pale blue-green leaves that can grow as long as 25 cm, each edged with small brown teeth and culminating in a black spine. This species may produce purple-tinged green flowers after a minimum of 15 years, emerging from a branched stalk that can extend up to 2 m in height.
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, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H1C
Plant details
- Plant type
- Cactus Succulent, Conservatory Greenhouse
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 0.5-1 metres
- Spread
- 0.5-1 metres
- Time to full height
- 10-20 years
- Suggested uses
- Gravel garden, Architectural, Patio and container plants
- Native to
- Mexico
- 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. Can move outdoors for summer. See houseplant cacti and succulent cultivation for further information
- Pruning
- No pruning required
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed, or remove offsets
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to scale insects
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free