Agave potatorum
Verschaffelt agave
A variable species, in terms of colour and habit, but is generally a solitary or slowly clump-forming species forming a compact and symmetrical rosette of light green to blue-grey, glaucous foliage with reddish-brown marginal spines and a larger, twisted spine at the leaf-tip. Stems are monocarpic, producing flowers and seeds only once on reaching maturity and then dying. Flower spikes can be 3-5m with light green flowers tinged with red and with red bracts
Size
Ultimate height
4–8 metresTime to ultimate height
10–20 yearsUltimate spread
0.5–1 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
AcidColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Grey Silver Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green Red | Grey Silver Green | ||
| Autumn | Grey Silver Green | |||
| Winter | Grey Silver Green |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
West–facing or South–facing
Exposure
ShelteredDrought resistance
Yes Hardiness
H2Botanical details
- Family
- Asparagaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Bushy
- Potentially harmful
- 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
- 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
- Mexico
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in sharply-draining or cactus compost in full light. Water freely in summer, but allow compost to become dry in before watering again. Give a low-nitrogen feed three or four times during the growing period. Water less in autumn and keep cool and 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
Propagation
Propagate by seed, or remove offsets
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Architectural
- City and courtyard gardens
- Sub-tropical
- Gravel garden
- Patio and container plants
- Mediterranean climate plants
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
May be susceptible to scale insects
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.