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.
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Agave and wildlife
Agave has no particular known value to wildlife in the UK.
