Agave victoriae-reginae T. Moore

Description

Small and very compact, A. victoriae-reginae is normally a solitary plant, although in cultivation it may sometimes form offsets. The green leaves, with strongly marked white margins, are short (15-20 cm), rigid and thick, and grow very closely pressed together. At the tip of each leaf there is a short, sturdy black spine. The spike-shaped inflorescence, 2 to 4 metres tall, bears a great number of paired flowers in various colours, often with purplish-red tints. As in all agaves, the effort spent on flowering exhausts the plant, which dies within a short time. It can nevertheless reproduce itself thanks to the seeds dispersed by the wind and to the side shoots produced at the base of the stem shortly before it dies.

Cultivation

Thanks to its perfect symmetry and the beauty of the markings on its leaves, A. victoriae-reginae was long ago introduced all over the world and is sought after by every collector of succulents. Well-drained soil without stagnant water, a position in full sun, and a dry winter with minimum temperatures just above zero are the basic rules for successful cultivation. Generous watering during the growing season, together with some potassium-rich feeding, can only make this marvel of nature flourish. Along the coast, or in any area free from prolonged frosts, these plants can be grown successfully outdoors, where they can best display their beauty. In cold climates it is advisable to grow them in pots, so that the plant can be sheltered during the winter in cool, dry rooms.

Propagation

by sowing or by cuttings using the basal shoots, almost always already rooted.