Intermediate
skill rating
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Agave deserti (Desert agave)
2 hours care
per year
per year
0.5m
Max height
Max height
1m
Max spread
Max spread
5-10 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Agave deserti
Other names
Desert agave, Mescal , Century plant , Maguey
Genus
Agave Agave
Species
A. deserti - A. deserti is a tender, rosette-forming, variable, succulent, evergreen perennial with fleshy, concave to flat, sharp-pointed, triangular to lance-shaped, grey-green leaves. A tall single stem bears an erect panicle of funnel-shaped, silvery, yellow flowers bloom in summer.
Agave deserti is: Evergreen
Habit
Clump-forming, Rosette
Flower
Bright-yellow in Summer
Foliage
Grey-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Scale insects Scale insects
Diseases
Vulnerable to chlorosis resulting from magnesium deficiency.
General care
Pruning
Though rarely flowers, the 'mother' rosette dies after flowering but offsets at the base replace the parent rosette. Remove faded racemes and rosettes.
Propagation methods
Offsets
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Where to grow
Agave deserti (Desert agave) will reach a height of 0.5m and a spread of 1m after 5-10 years.
Suggested uses
Mediterranean, Low Maintenance, Indoor, Gravel, Drought Tolerant, Containers, Conservatory, City, Architectural, Sub-Tropical
Cultivation
Grow under glass in cactus compost in bright, filtered light. Water freely in growth & feed every 3-4 weeks with a balanced liquid feed. Keep almost dry in winter. Outdoors in frost-free areas, grow in slightly acid to neutral soil in sharply drained soil in full sun.
Soil type
Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Indoor heated (H1), Tender in frost (H3)
Companion plants
Botanical name
Agave deserti
Other names
Desert agave, Mescal , Century plant , Maguey
Genus
Agave Agave
Species
A. deserti - A. deserti is a tender, rosette-forming, variable, succulent, evergreen perennial with fleshy, concave to flat, sharp-pointed, triangular to lance-shaped, grey-green leaves. A tall single stem bears an erect panicle of funnel-shaped, silvery, yellow flowers bloom in summer.
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Clump-forming, Rosette
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Colour
Flower
Bright-yellow in Summer
Foliage
Grey-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Diseases
Vulnerable to chlorosis resulting from magnesium deficiency.
General care
Pruning
Though rarely flowers, the 'mother' rosette dies after flowering but offsets at the base replace the parent rosette. Remove faded racemes and rosettes.
Propagation methods
Offsets
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Agave deserti (Desert agave) will reach a height of 0.5m and a spread of 1m after 5-10 years.
Suggested uses
Mediterranean, Low Maintenance, Indoor, Gravel, Drought Tolerant, Containers, Conservatory, City, Architectural, Sub-Tropical
Cultivation
Grow under glass in cactus compost in bright, filtered light. Water freely in growth & feed every 3-4 weeks with a balanced liquid feed. Keep almost dry in winter. Outdoors in frost-free areas, grow in slightly acid to neutral soil in sharply drained soil in full sun.
Soil type
Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Indoor heated (H1), Tender in frost (H3)
USDA zones
Zone 11, Zone 10, Zone 9, Zone 8
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Loamy, Sandy | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Indoor heated (H1), Tender in frost (H3) | Tell us... |
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