Agave × leopoldii
Leopold agave
A succulent perennial forming a 30cm rosette of stiff, spine-tipped leaves with thread-like filaments curling from the margins. Mature plants may produce a very tall spike of yellow flowers in summer. This tender agave can be grown as a houseplant, or if grown outdoors should be moved to a frost-free greenhouse in winter
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Yellow | Green | ||
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter | Green |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
ShelteredDrought resistance
Yes Hardiness
H2Botanical details
- Family
- Asparagaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Potentially harmful
- Skin irritant. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets (dogs, cats): harmful if eaten. For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
- Genus
Agave can be perennial or monocarpic succulents, forming rosettes of usually rigid, fleshy, spiny-edged leaves, with funnel-shaped flowers in racemes or panicles often much taller than the rosettes
- Name status
Unresolved
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow under glass in cactus compost, water freely when in growth, but keep almost dry over winter. Apply a dilute, liquid fertiliser 3 or 4 times during the growing season. See houseplant cacti and succulent cultivation for further advice
Propagation
Propagate by removing offsets in spring or autumn
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Architectural
- City and courtyard gardens
- Coastal
- Gravel garden
- Houseplants
- Mediterranean climate plants
- Patio and container plants
- Sub-tropical
- Bedding
- Conservatory and greenhouse
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
May be susceptible to scale insects
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.