Agave Horrida perotensis

Family

Aspaeagaceae

Native

Mexico

Description

Agave horrida subsp. perotensis is a succulent plant that forms a solitary compact rosette of pale green to dark green leaves with large brown spines and leaf margins on new leaves that attractively turn grey-white with age. Compared to the species, variety perotensis is a slightly bigger plant with a denser rosette to 40-60 cm tall by 90 cm across bearing more leaves that are a darker green.

Blooms appear lumped together in pairs on short branches in a spiralling sequence on the upper third of a 3-5 m tall slender tapering inflorescence. The flowers are purple to yellowish-red or green, 35-40 mm, long. Tube shortly funnel shaped, 3-4(-5) mm long, lobes, equal, 15-16 mm long on a short peduncle.

Environment

Agaves need full sun and gritty soil that percolates easily. They can even do quite well when potted but use an unglazed clay pot that will allow evaporation of excess moisture.

Water needs are moderate to light depending upon the heat of the season but the Cactus should be allowed to dry out before irrigation

In growing season they benefit from the application of a granulated time release fertilizer that will provide nutrient to the plant.

Landscape Uses

It is also a popular landscape plant in beach gardens