About

Agave 'Red Wing' is a slow-growing, evergreen succulent that develops a rosette shape. Its thick, dark red leaves feature creamy, serrated margins and end in spiny, brownish tips. This plant thrives in sunny locations, making it well-suited for borders as well as pots and containers.

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, West-facing
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness
H2

Plant details

Plant type
Cactus Succulent
Habit
Bushy
Foliage
Evergreen
Height
0.1-0.5 metres
Spread
0.5-1 metres
Time to full height
1 year
Suggested uses
Architectural, City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Mediterranean climate plants, Patio and container plants, Gravel garden, 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 any well drained soil in a warm, sheltered spot in full sun. 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. See houseplant cacti and succulent cultivation for further information
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