Agave horrida or Wicked agave

Care of the succulent plant Agave horrida or Wicked agave

The genus Agave (Asparagaceae family) comprises about 350 species of succulent plants native to Mexico, the Southwest of the United States, and Central America. Some species are: Agave horrida, Agave vilmoriniana, Agave angustifolia, Agave univittata, Agave lechuguilla, Agave stricta, Agave sisalana, Agave shawii, Agave potatorum, Agave parryi, Agave parrasana, Agave macroacantha, Agave filifera, Agave bracteosa, Agave attenuata, Agave americana, Agave victoria-reginae, Agave guadalajarana, Agave striata, Agave impressa, Agave ferox, Agave ferdinandi-regis, Agave datylio.

Common names: Horrid Hardy Century Plant, Wicked agave. This species is native to central Mexico.

They are succulent plants of compact size and rosette leaves that reach 60 cm (1.96 feet) in height. The leaves are dark green and have hard curved spines at the margin. They produce long inflorescences (more than 2 meters/6.56 feet) with yellow flowers after several years; after flowering (in spring) the mother plant dies but before it produces suckers. The fruits are bluish-green capsules.

They are used in pots for patios and terraces, on borders, on dry and sunny slopes, on rockeries and in gardens of cacti and succulents.

Agave horrida needs full sun exposure and a hot, dry climate. It resists frosts down to -3 ºC (26.6 ºF).

They grow in any very well drained soil be it sandy, poor, rocky or stony. Planting or transplanting is done in spring.

They are very resistant to drought plants that need moderate watering, waiting until the substrate has completely dried. In winter, water very little.

They do not need fertilizers or pruning.

They are plants resistant to the usual pests and diseases but sensitive to excess humidity.

They are propagated from seeds sown in spring, by separating suckers and by means of leaf cuttings.