An evergreen succulent, forming a rosette to 1m high of stiff, deep green leaves, with dark brown teeth and spines that fade to greyish white. Mature plants may produce a tall, narrow spike of yellow or sometimes purple flowers, after which the rosette dies off
0.5-1 metres
0.5-1 metres
| Season | Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | ||||
| Summer | ||||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
Grow under glass in cactus compost, water freely when in growth, but keep almost dry over winter. Apply a dilute, liquid fertiliser 3 or 4 times during the growing season. Can be moved to a sunny spot outdoors in summer, but needs to overwinter in a greenhouse or conservatory. See houseplant cacti and succulent cultivation for more advice
Propagate by seed, sown at 21°C in early spring
No pruning required
May be susceptible to scale insects
Generally disease-free