- Botanical name: Agave stricta
- Common name: Hedgehog agave
- Family: Asparagaceae
- Plant Type: Cactus or succulent, Evergreen
Red
Green
- Key features:
- Dramatic foliage
- Low maintenance plant
- Succeeds on poor soil
Agaves are succulents that form rosettes of fleshy, spiny-edged leaves. They are mostly grown as houseplants or conservatory plants but larger varieties can add a stunning architectural look to the garden.
Native to southern Mexico, Agave stricta is also known as the hedgehog agave thanks to its striking form – it bears rosettes of thin leaves, up to 40cm long, tipped with dark spines. As the plant grows, it produces pincushion-like offsets. The foliage may develop a red tinge in spring and summer.
If you live in a mild, dry part of the country, or in an urban microclimate, you could grow Agave stricta in extremely well-drained soil in full sun. A raised bed, rockery or gravel garden is ideal. The plant will be able to cope with cold and frosts, down to -5°C, when mature, but it will not cope with winter wet, so cover with a rain shelter between October and March. Alternatively, grow in a large container that you can move into a greenhouse or conservatory in autumn.
How to grow Agave stricta
-
Plant size
70cm height
70cm spread
-
Aspect
South facing, west facing
- Sun exposure: Full sun
- Hardiness: Frost hardy
- Soil type: Well drained / light / sandy
Plant calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plant | ||||||||||||
| Plant |
J
Do not Plant in January |
F
Do not Plant in February |
M
Do not Plant in March |
A
Do not Plant in April |
M
Do Plant in May |
J
Do Plant in June |
J
Do not Plant in July |
A
Do not Plant in August |
S
Do not Plant in September |
O
Do not Plant in October |
N
Do not Plant in November |
D
Do not Plant in December |
Agave stricta and wildlife
Agave stricta has no particular known value to wildlife in the UK.
Is Agave stricta poisonous?
Agave stricta has no toxic effects reported.
No reported toxicity to Birds
No reported toxicity to Cats
No reported toxicity to Dogs
No reported toxicity to Horses
No reported toxicity to Livestock
No reported toxicity to People
