About
Agave potatorum exhibits a range of variation in its coloration and growth habits, though it typically grows as a solitary plant or forms slow clusters. The foliage consists of a compact rosette that displays light green to blue-grey, glaucous leaves, each edged with reddish-brown spines and featuring a prominent twisted spine at the apex. This species is monocarpic, meaning it flowers and produces seeds only once it reaches maturity before it dies. The flowering spikes can reach heights of 3 to 5 meters, adorned with light green flowers accented by red hues and accompanied by red bracts.
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
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- West-facing, South-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H2
Plant details
- Plant type
- Cactus Succulent, Conservatory Greenhouse
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 4-8 metres
- Spread
- 0.5-1 metres
- Time to full height
- 10-20 years
- Suggested uses
- Architectural, City and courtyard gardens, Sub-tropical, Gravel garden, Patio and container plants, Mediterranean climate 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 in sharply-draining or cactus compost in full light. Water freely in summer, but allow compost to become dry in before watering again. Give a low-nitrogen feed three or four times during the growing period. Water less in autumn and keep cool and dry in winter. Provide winter protection, or grow in a container and overwinter in a greenhouse or conservatory. 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