Agave stricta (Hedgehog Plant, Blue Hedgehog Plant)


Botanical Information

FamilyAsparagaceae
GenusAgave
Speciesstricta
CategoryPerennials, Tropicals
OriginMexico.

Details

USDA Hardiness Zone10b - 11a
USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canadian Hardiness ZoneCold protection under glass.
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness ZoneH2
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Temperature (°C)1 - 5
Temperature (°F)34 - 41
Height0.1 - 0.5 m
Spread0.1 - 0.5 m
GrowthMedium

Description and Growing Information

General DescriptionA rosetted mass of rigid, succulent, spine-tipped, tendril-shaped green leaves.
ID CharacteristicSmall hair-like fibres growing along the spiny edges of the leaves.
ShapeSpiked rosette.
LandscapeIt is best used in architectural decoration, city and urban gardens, and Mediterranean displays in regions as close to its natural climate as possible. Since it needs a warm climate to thrive, it is not recommended for outdoor planting in frost prone climates, but can be planted indoors as a large-scale succulent display.
PropagationPropagate by offsets only in spring or autumn.
CultivationWill grow well in standard cactus-type composted soils such as a mixture of sand and loam.
PestsScale may be problematic, but is not known to be affected by diseases.
Leaf DescriptionRigid, succulent, spine-tipped, tendril-shaped green leaves measuring up to about 40 cm.
Colour DescriptionLeaves are a duller true green with whitish-tan fibres.
Texture DescriptionSmooth leathery leaves comparable to most species belonging to the Agave genus. The leaves have small hairlike fibres growing along their spiny edges.

Photographs