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.
Advertisement
Plant calendar
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Plant
yes
yes
Agave ‘Stricta’ and wildlife
Agave ‘Stricta’ has no particular known value to wildlife in the UK.
