Agave guiengola 'Crème Brûlée' (v)
A slow-growing perennial succulent, forming an open rosette of broad, fleshy, grey-green leaves, with cream-coloured margins, dark red-brown teeth along the edges and brown spines at the tips. Leaf margins are sometimes tinted pink in sunny, cool conditions. Mature plants produce a tall spike of pale yellow flowers in late summer
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Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metresTime to ultimate height
10–20 yearsUltimate spread
1–1.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green Grey Silver Cream | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Yellow | Green Grey Silver Cream | ||
| Autumn | Green Grey Silver Cream | |||
| Winter | Green Grey Silver Cream |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
ShelteredDrought resistance
Yes Hardiness
H2Botanical details
- Family
- Asparagaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Clump forming
- 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
Accepted
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in well drained soil in a warm, sheltered spot. Water freely in summer and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser 3-4 times in the growing season. Keep almost dry in winter. Provide winter protection, or grow in a container and overwinter in a greenhouse or conservatory. Plants typically take 10-15 years to flower, and die off after flowering (monocarpic). See houseplant cacti and succulent cultivation for further information
Propagation
Propagate by offsets taken in spring or autumn
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Gravel garden
- Mediterranean climate plants
- Patio and container plants
- Rock garden
- Conservatory and greenhouse
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.