Verschaffelt agave (Agave potatorum)
Verschaffelt agave (Agave potatorum) is a plant of succulent leaves that can grow 3m – 8m tall and 50cm – 1.5m wide. In this growing guide we’ll learn the cultivation details and how to plant Verschaffelt agave (Agave potatorum).
This plant has several common names including: Verschaffelt agave or toper’s agave.
This is a evergreen plant that takes 10-20 years to reach full maturity.
In this article
Plant profile
Common name: Verschaffelt agave, toper’s agave
Scientific name: Agave potatorum
Plant type: Cactus / Succulent, Conservatory & Greenhouse
Habit: Bushy
Height: 3m – 8m
Spread: 50cm – 1.5m
Foliage: Evergreen
Sunlight: Full Sun
Soil: Loam, Sand
Moisture: Well drained
Garden type: Architectural, City & Courtyard Gardens, Mediterranean Garden, Patio & Container Garden, Rock & Gravel Garden, Sub-tropical
Other characteristics: Drought resistant, RHS Award of Garden Merit
Seasonal colors
| Season | Stem | Foliage | Flower | Fruit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | ||||
| Summer | ||||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
How to plant Verschaffelt agave (Agave potatorum) – Arpingstone, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Cacti and succulent plants are appreciated for their natural charm, mainly for their leaf shapes, but also in some cases for their colorful flowers in spring and summer.
They should be cultivated in areas that mimic the conditions in which they grow in nature, which are usually exposed places with stony and fast-draining soils.
These characteristics make them to be grown in pots.
Other types of Agave to consider:
See all Agave
How to plant
In this section we will learn how to plant Verschaffelt agave (Agave potatorum), know its needs in terms of soil, watering and sun exposure.
Soil
Verschaffelt agave (Agave potatorum) is a plant that prefers to grow in loam or sand.
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The loam soil is dark, rich in organic matter but balanced in minerals. It offers the best of all worlds, retaining enough water for the plants, but allowing excess moisture to drain away. This is the most desired type of garden soil, perfect for most plants.
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Sandy soil is light, porous and very easy to drain. It is a soil poor in organic matter and nutrients. It is composed of relatively large mineral particles that allow water to drain quickly.
As for pH, it is a plant that grows ideally in soils with pH acid pH.
Regarding drainage, Agave potatorum likes to grow in well drained soil.
Sunlight
Verschaffelt agave (Agave potatorum) should be grown in full sun places.
Cultivation profiles – Growing Verschaffelt agave (Agave potatorum) – Photo by David J. Stang, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
