Hedgehog Agave Plant Care
Agave stricta Salm-Dyck
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Agave stricta, the hedgehog agave, is a species of flowering plant in the family Asparagaceae, native to Puebla and Oaxaca in Southern Mexico. Growing to 50 cm (20 in) tall, it is an evergreen succulent with rosettes of narrow spiny leaves producing erect racemes, 2 m (7 ft) long, of reddish purple flowers in summer.
Every 14–21 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–85°F
10–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Hedgehog Agave?
Water Hedgehog Agave every 14–21 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–85°F (10–29°C) and 10–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 8 months during the growing season. It is reported as toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of pets.
Where Is the Hedgehog Agave Native To?
What Is the Hedgehog Agave?
Hedgehog Agave (Agave stricta) belongs to the Asparagaceae family within the Agave genus. Hedgehog Agave is native to Puebla and Oaxaca in Southern Mexico. Hedgehog Agave is also known as Blue Hedgehog Agave, Strict Agave.
Hedgehog Agave displays a rosette-forming succulent growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 8 ft. Hedgehog Agave produces tall spikes with yellow, green, or white flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 36 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Hedgehog Agave?
Agave stricta requires watering every 14–21 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 14–21 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Hedgehog Agave Need?
Hedgehog Agave thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Hedgehog Agave Prefer?
Agave stricta grows best at temperatures of 50–85°F. Hedgehog Agave prefers humidity levels of 10–60%.
Temperature
50–85°F
Humidity
10–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Hedgehog Agave?
Sandy, well-draining soil mix with added perlite and gravel. Good drainage is essential for Hedgehog Agave to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Hedgehog Agave?
Feed Hedgehog Agave every 8 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 8 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Hedgehog Agave?
Repot every 2-3 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Hedgehog Agave?
Hedgehog Agave can be propagated through pups, offsets, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to century plant plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Hedgehog Agave Toxic to Pets and Children?
Toxic (caution)
Reported as toxic in our plant data. Not verified by the ASPCA.
Mildly toxic to humans and pets, can cause skin irritation
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Hedgehog Agave?
Hedgehog Agave is susceptible to agave snout weevil, agave mite, scale insects. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Hedgehog Agave Need?
Hedgehog Agave grows outdoors in USDA Zone 9b – 11b. It survives winters down to planting zone 9b. Hedgehog Agave is native to Puebla and Oaxaca in Southern Mexico. In cooler regions, grow Hedgehog Agave as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 9b – 11b
Keep exploring plants
Hedgehog Agave is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Agave genus — compare its care with other Agave species on PlantoScan.
Agave is part of the Asparagaceae plant family — browse all Asparagaceae genera and species.
Hedgehog Agave thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Agave Species
Other Agave species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Agave stricta Salm-Dyck, family Asparagaceae (first published in Bonplandia (Hannover) 7: 94 (1859)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Hedgehog Agave is reported as toxic to pets in our plant data (not verified by the ASPCA), so treat it with caution. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 9b – 11b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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