Agave salmiana var. ferox

RHS Plant Profile
ferocious giant agave

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ferocious giant agave RHS

Synonyms

Agave salmiana 'Ferox'
Agave ferox

Cactus Succulent Conservatory Greenhouse
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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

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Sand

Max Height

2.5-4 metres

Max Spread

2.5-4 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
10–20 years
Max Spread
2.5-4 metres
Max Height
2.5-4 metres

Growing Conditions

Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid

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
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
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