Agave salmiana var. ferox
ferocious giant agave
A rosette-forming, evergreen, perennial succulent with a stout stem, capable of growing to 4m. The leaves are dark greyish-green, edged with hooked spines. After many years, bears dense clusters of greenish-yellow flowers, on upright, branched stems up to 10m tall
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Size
Ultimate height
2.5–4 metresTime to ultimate height
10–20 yearsUltimate spread
2.5–4 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
AcidColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green Grey Silver | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Yellow | Green Grey Silver | ||
| Autumn | Green Grey Silver | |||
| Winter | Green Grey Silver |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
ShelteredDrought resistance
Yes Hardiness
H2Botanical details
- Family
- Asparagaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Bushy
- 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
- C Mexico
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow under glass in cactus compost in full light. Water freely in summer, giving a low-nitrogen feed three or four times. Water less in autumn and keep dry in winter. Can move outdoors for summer. See houseplant cacti and succulent cultivation for further information
Propagation
Propagate by seed, or remove offsets
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Sub-tropical
- Architectural
- Gravel garden
- Patio and container plants
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
May be susceptible to scale insect
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
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