Furcraea parmentieri

RHS Plant Profile

Mexican giant false agave

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Synonyms

Furcraea roezlii
Furcraea bedinghausii
Furcraea longaeva misapplied

Cactus Succulent Shrubs

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A perennial succulent forming a rosette of stiff, sword-shaped, grey-green leaves to 70cm long, and in time developing a stout trunk to 2m. At maturity, which may take 20 years or more, it produces a single, gigantic, conical flowerspike which bears both greenish-white flowers and numerous bulbils. After flowering the plant dies but can be propagated from the bulbils

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Max Spread

1-1.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 20–50 years
Max Spread: 1-1.5 metres
Max Height: 1.5-2.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H2
Drought Resistance: Yes

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Asparagaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Tufted
Genus: Furcraea are a genus of evergreen, succulent plants with long, fleshy leaves which grow upwards, similar to Yucca. Flower stalks and long and flowers range from green to white and are slightly fragranced
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: Mexico

How to Grow

Cultivation

Under glass, grow in standard cactus compost in full light with low humidity. During growth, water moderately and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser monthly; water sparingly at other times. Outdoors grow in poor to moderately fertile, sharply-drained soil in full sun. Protect from winter wet

Propagation

Propagate by sowing seed at 20°C in spring, or by bulbils

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Architectural
City and courtyard gardens
Patio and container plants
Sub-tropical
Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to scale insects

Diseases

Generally disease-free