Intermediate
skill rating
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Furcraea foetida (Mauritius hemp)
2 hours care
per year
per year
1.2m
Max height
Max height
2.5m
Max spread
Max spread
10-20 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Furcraea foetida
Other names
Mauritius hemp, Giant cabuya, Green aloe, False agave, Furcraea gigantea, Malagache aloe
Genus
Furcraea Furcraea
Species
F. foetida - F. foetida is a tender, rosette-forming, succulent, evergreen perennial with glossy, sword- to lance-shaped, sparsely spiny, mid- to light green leaves and spike-like panicles of pendent, fragrant, broadly bell-shaped, greenish-white flowers in summer.
Furcraea foetida is: Evergreen
Habit
Rosette
Flower
Greenish-white in Summer
Foliage
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
Remove dead or damaged leaves as needed.
Propagation methods
Offsets
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Where to grow
Furcraea foetida (Mauritius hemp) will reach a height of 1.2m and a spread of 2.5m after 10-20 years.
Suggested uses
Architectural, Conservatory, Containers, Drought Tolerant, Flower Arranging, Indoor, Low Maintenance, Mediterranean, Sub-Tropical
Cultivation
In frost-free areas, grow in poor to moderately fertile, sharply-drained, preferably neutral to acid soil in full sun. Drought tolerant. Avoid winter wet. Under glass, grow in cactus compost in full light. In growth, water moderately and feed monthly; sparingly in autumn and winter. A monocarpic species, it dies after flowering but produces plantlets freely.
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
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Furcraea foetida
Other names
Mauritius hemp, Giant cabuya, Green aloe, False agave, Furcraea gigantea, Malagache aloe
Genus
Furcraea Furcraea
Species
F. foetida - F. foetida is a tender, rosette-forming, succulent, evergreen perennial with glossy, sword- to lance-shaped, sparsely spiny, mid- to light green leaves and spike-like panicles of pendent, fragrant, broadly bell-shaped, greenish-white flowers in summer.
Native to
Mexico
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Rosette
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Colour
Flower
Greenish-white in Summer
Foliage
Green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Diseases
Vulnerable to chlorosis resulting from magnesium deficiency.
General care
Pruning
Remove dead or damaged leaves as needed.
Propagation methods
Offsets
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Furcraea foetida (Mauritius hemp) will reach a height of 1.2m and a spread of 2.5m after 10-20 years.
Suggested uses
Architectural, Conservatory, Containers, Drought Tolerant, Flower Arranging, Indoor, Low Maintenance, Mediterranean, Sub-Tropical
Cultivation
In frost-free areas, grow in poor to moderately fertile, sharply-drained, preferably neutral to acid soil in full sun. Drought tolerant. Avoid winter wet. Under glass, grow in cactus compost in full light. In growth, water moderately and feed monthly; sparingly in autumn and winter. A monocarpic species, it dies after flowering but produces plantlets freely.
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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