Plant Library

Other Names:  Century Plant

Brand:  Walters Gardens

Description:

A slow growing, symmetrical variety with tight fitting deep green leaves that are edged and striped in white; margins are smooth and spineless; produces no offsets, so after flowering will need to be replaced; good winter drainage is a must

Ornamental Features

Porcupine Queen Victoria Agave is primarily valued in the garden for its ornamental globe-shaped form. Its succulent pointy leaves remain dark green in color with prominent white stripes throughout the year.

Landscape Attributes

Porcupine Queen Victoria Agave is a dense evergreen perennial with a more or less rounded form. Its wonderfully bold, coarse texture can be very effective in a balanced garden composition.

This plant will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and usually looks its best without pruning, although it will tolerate pruning. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

• Spiny

Porcupine Queen Victoria Agave is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• General Garden Use
• Container Planting

Planting & Growing

Porcupine Queen Victoria Agave will grow to be about 8 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 14 inches. Its foliage tends to remain low and dense right to the ground. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years. As an evegreen perennial, this plant will typically keep its form and foliage year-round.

This plant should only be grown in full sunlight. It prefers dry to average moisture levels with very well-drained soil, and will often die in standing water. It is considered to be drought-tolerant, and thus makes an ideal choice for a low-water garden or xeriscape application. Like most succulents and cacti, this plant prefers to grow in poor soils and should therefore never be fertilized. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in poor soils. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America. It can be propagated by multiplication of the underground bulbs; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.

Porcupine Queen Victoria Agave is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. It is often used as a 'filler' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination, providing the canvas against which the thriller plants stand out. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.