Agave havardiana
Havard's agave
A succulent perennial with rosettes, up to 60cm high, of grey-blue-green leaves edged with sharp spines. When flowering stalks are produced, they are 2-5m high with scented white, yellow or yellow-green flowers in summer
Buy this plant
Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
10–20 yearsUltimate spread
0.5–1 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green Blue Grey Silver | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green Blue Grey Silver | Green White Yellow | Green Blue Grey Silver | |
| Autumn | Green Blue Grey Silver | |||
| Winter | Green Blue Grey Silver |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or East–facing or West–facing
Exposure
ShelteredDrought resistance
Yes Hardiness
H3Botanical details
- Family
- Asparagaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Tufted
- Potentially harmful
- Skin irritant. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
- Genus
Agave can be perennial or monocarpic succulents, forming rosettes of usually rigid, fleshy, spiny-edged leaves, with funnel-shaped flowers in racemes or panicles often much taller than the rosettes
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- SW Texas to Mexico
How to grow
Cultivation
This species is far more tolerant of cold and wet than most species and can often be grown outside in full sun in sharply drained, stony or sandy, dry soil; for more advice, see hardy cacti and succulent cultivation
Propagation
Propagate by seed sown at 13-21°C in early spring, or by division of offsets in spring or autumn: if already rooted, treat as mature plants; if unrooted, plant in a mix of equal parts peat-free compost and sharp sand until rooted
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Patio and container plants
- Architectural
- City and courtyard gardens
- Coastal
- Gravel garden
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
May be susceptible to scale insects and mealybugs, especially on young growth
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.