Agave colorata
A slow-growing evergreen succulent, forming a stiff rosette of wide green leaves with a powdery blue-grey bloom. Leaves have wavy, sharply toothed edges and brown spines at the tip, and are often patterned with bud imprints. Mature plants may produce a tall spike of yellow-orange flowers opening from reddish buds; after flowering the central rosette dies off, to be replaced by new offsets produced at the base
Buy this plant
Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metresTime to ultimate height
10–20 yearsUltimate spread
1–1.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green Blue Grey Silver | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Yellow Orange | Green Blue Grey Silver | ||
| Autumn | Green Blue Grey Silver | |||
| Winter | Green Blue Grey Silver |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing
Exposure
Exposed or ShelteredDrought resistance
Yes Hardiness
H3Botanical 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
Correct
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in free draining soil or cactus compost, water freely when in growth and apply a dilute, liquid fertiliser 3 or 4 times during the growing season. May be hardy to -8°C if kept dry over winter, provide winter protection or overwinter in a greenhouse or conservatory. See hardy cacti and succulent cultivation for more advice
Propagation
Propagate by seed, or by removing offsets in spring or autumn
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Coastal
- Cottage and informal garden
- Gravel garden
- Patio and container plants
- Sub-tropical
- 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.