About

Echeveria agavoides, the moulded wax agave, is an attractive, evergreen succulent forming rosettes of triangular to egg-shaped, pale-green leaves margined and tipped with red. Slender, one-sided flower spikes to 40 cm tall bear lantern-shaped, red flowers with yellow tips in summer. One of the most ornamental and sculptural of the echeverias.

About the genus

Echeveria are evergreen succulent perennials or subshrubs from Mexico and Central America producing rosettes of colourful, fleshy leaves in shades of grey, green, blue, pink, red and purple, and racemes or panicles of small, urn-shaped, red, orange or yellow flowers on tall stems in summer.

Growing conditions

SunlightFull sun
Soil typeLoam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectNorth-facing, South-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH2

Plant details

Plant typeCactus Succulent, Conservatory Greenhouse, Houseplants
HabitClump forming
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesPatio and container plants
Native toMexico

Care notes

CultivationGrow under glass in a standard cactus compost, in bright, filtered light. When in growth water moderately and feed every two or three weeks with a balanced liquid feed. Keep almost dry in the winter. Stand plants outside during the summer months. See Echeveria and houseplant cacti and succulent cultivation for further advice
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by seed sown at 15 - 18°C in early spring or stem or leaf cuttings in spring or early summer. Separate offsets in spring
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to mealybugs, vine weevil and aphids
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free