Agave attenuata (Tulip Leafed Agave)

The only SAFE Agave – no spines! A very slow growing succulent with beautiful symmetry. Forming evergreen rosettes of lush jade to bluey-green, the leaves are deeply sculptural and thick. The very definition of ‘succulent’.

For a sunny courtyard or patio: terrific instant architecture in a generous pot. Can form, over considerable time, quite a thick stem reaching 1-1.5metres. Needs a sandy, gravelly and free-draining soil which you won’t need to water much.

Super for city gardens where a collection of pots can be artfully arranged into a Mediterranean design, or coastal locations where the prehistoric shape of these plants really seem to just ‘work’.

To be very clear: pot only – this isn’t hardy ANYWHERE in the British Isles. Be told. Do not put it in the ground. This isn’t the Agave Americana your mum potted-on for you, left outside by accident all winter (skiing accident: we don’t talk about it) and which soldiered through, as they do. Don’t think you can get away with that here: that’s the kind of false security that ends badly. And much like the hospital-issued blancmange we still shudder about, all you’ll get is a big pot of collapsed and desolate brown gloop.

Chuck it outside in the summer only, in full sun where it will bask. Needs a minimum temperature +8C. That said, and thus duly warned, this agave is in all other regards astonishingly easy to grow. I recommend it.

N.B. When clipping several plants with the same tool, have a bucket containing a 5% bleach solution and swish your blades around for 30 seconds between plants to sterilise them. This will help avoid the chance of cross contamination of disease.

As with all woody plants, plant high, exposing as much of the taper at the base of the trunk as possible. Allowing soil to accumulate round the base of a tree can be fatal. Keep very well watered when first planted.