Intermediate
skill rating
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Agave sisalana (Sisal)
2 hours care
per year
per year
2m
Max height
Max height
2m
Max spread
Max spread
10-20 years
To maturity
To maturity
Low
Toxicity
Toxicity
Plant details
Botanical name
Agave sisalana
Other names
Sisal, Sisal hemp, Agave rigida var. sisalana, Agave amaniensis, Agave segurae, Mescal
Genus
Agave Agave
Species
A. sisalana - A. sisalana is a half-hardy, evergreen, monocarpic, succulent perennial forming a rosette of sword- or lance-shaped, spiny-tipped, blue-green to grey-green leaves and a long, sturdy, erect stem bearing a dense cluster of pungent, yellow flowers in summer.
Agave sisalana is: Evergreen
Habit
Rosette
Toxicity
Leaves are spiny so handle with care.
Flower
Yellow-green in Summer
Foliage
Grey-green, Blue-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
Propagation methods
Offsets
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Where to grow
Agave sisalana (Sisal) will reach a height of 2m and a spread of 2m after 10-20 years.
Suggested uses
Architectural, Conservatory, Containers, Drought Tolerant, Flower Arranging, Gravel, Indoor, Low Maintenance, Mediterranean
Cultivation
Grow under glass in cactus compost, in bright, filtered light. Water moderately when in growth and feed every two or three weeks with a balanced liquid feed. Keep almost dry in the winter. Outdoors in frost-free areas, grow in moderately fertile, preferably neutral to acid, sharply drained soil in sun. Flowering usually occurs after the plant is 7 years old or more. Monocarpic, so dies after flowering but produces numerous offsets. Leaves are harvested for fibre production. Considered invasive in introduced areas, particularly in several Pacific Islands and Australia.
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.
Tender in frost (H3), Indoor unheated (H2)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Agave sisalana
Other names
Sisal, Sisal hemp, Agave rigida var. sisalana, Agave amaniensis, Agave segurae, Mescal
Genus
Agave Agave
Species
A. sisalana - A. sisalana is a half-hardy, evergreen, monocarpic, succulent perennial forming a rosette of sword- or lance-shaped, spiny-tipped, blue-green to grey-green leaves and a long, sturdy, erect stem bearing a dense cluster of pungent, yellow flowers in summer.
Native to
Southern Mexico
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Rosette
Toxicity
Leaves are spiny so handle with care.
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Colour
Flower
Yellow-green in Summer
Foliage
Grey-green, Blue-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Diseases
Vulnerable to chlorosis resulting from magnesium deficiency.
General care
Propagation methods
Offsets
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Agave sisalana (Sisal) will reach a height of 2m and a spread of 2m after 10-20 years.
Suggested uses
Architectural, Conservatory, Containers, Drought Tolerant, Flower Arranging, Gravel, Indoor, Low Maintenance, Mediterranean
Cultivation
Grow under glass in cactus compost, in bright, filtered light. Water moderately when in growth and feed every two or three weeks with a balanced liquid feed. Keep almost dry in the winter. Outdoors in frost-free areas, grow in moderately fertile, preferably neutral to acid, sharply drained soil in sun. Flowering usually occurs after the plant is 7 years old or more. Monocarpic, so dies after flowering but produces numerous offsets. Leaves are harvested for fibre production. Considered invasive in introduced areas, particularly in several Pacific Islands and Australia.
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.
Tender in frost (H3), Indoor unheated (H2)
USDA zones
Zone 11, Zone 10, Zone 9
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: | Tender in frost (H3), Indoor unheated (H2) | Tell us... |
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