About
Agave titanota is a medium-sized, evergreen succulent that initially develops a solitary rosette, although it can generate offsets as it matures. The leaves are characterized by their formidable, curved, and twisting light-brown marginal spines, which often merge at the edges. A long, spiraled spine extends from the tip of each leaf. This species is monocarpic, meaning it will perish after blooming and producing seeds. The yellow flowers emerge on a spike that can reach heights of 3 to 6 meters.
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
- H1C
Plant details
- Plant type
- Cactus Succulent
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 4-8 metres
- Spread
- 0.5-1 metres
- Time to full height
- 10-20 years
- Suggested uses
- Sub-tropical, Patio and container plants
- 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
- Under glass, grow in a sharply-draining, peat-free, loam-based compost with extra sharp sand, or a proprietary, peat-free cactus compost in full sunlight. Water freely during the growing season from spring to autumn but allowing the compost to dry out before watering again. Water more sparingly in winter when the plant is dormant. See houseplant cacti and succulent cultivation for further information
- Pruning
- No pruning required
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed in spring at 21°C or from offsets in summer
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to scale insects
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free but may be susceptible to root rot in wet soils