Agave salmiana var. ferox

Also Known As

Agave ferox
Giant Agave

Plant type

cactus / succulent

size

H: 4'-6'
W: 6'-12'

planting zones

9a-11

More Options

Agave salmiana var. ferox plant details

Agave salmiana var. ferox is an evergreen cactus / succulent with blue foliage. Features glaucous texture. Grows well with sun - mostly sun and occasional - low water. Drought tolerant once established. Prefers to be dry in winter, dry when dormant. Does well in gritty, lean, rocky and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant and verticillium wilt resistant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Agave salmiana var. ferox

Plant type: cactus / succulent
Plant family: agavaceae, asparagaceae
Foliage: evergreen blue
Mature size: 6 FT - 12 FT - wide, 4 FT - 6 FT - tall
Uses: architectural, big leaves, container plant, desert garden, rock garden, rosette-forming, spiky, xeric

GROWING CONDITIONS for Agave salmiana var. ferox

USDA Zones: 9a - 11
Sun exposure: sun - mostly sun
Watering frequency: occasional - low
Resistant to: deer and rabbit, heat and verticillium wilt
Soil needs: gritty, lean, rocky and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Wow! This behemoth of an Agave is truly one of the most impressive garden plants one can grow. Its monster rosette of grey green leaves with hefty spines produces occasional offsets. Ultimately reaching dimensions of 12' wide or more, it needs a large space and should be surrounded by plants of similar scale not to be an overwhelming figure in the cactus garden. Hardiness reports vary anywhere from about 5 °F on up to 20 °F - this may owe to differences in provenance or to the possibility that many plants considered to be this species are actually a form of A. protamericana, which is much hardier. But if you don't want to risk it, it's still an impressive container specimen, and produces plenty of offsets which can be saved as insurance against a cold winter.

By: The Desert Northwest

8 to 12" wickedly spiney toothed plants

By: Kara Nursery

Huge, scary agave, to 4-6' tall x 6-12' wide over time, with an urn-shaped silhouette made up of foot wide, gray leaves. Originating in Mexico, these are common as accents in gardens with Mediterranean climates, as they rarely flower. Sun, good drainage, and very little summer water is necessary. Cold hardy in USDA zone 9, to 20-25 °F. Good for containers.