Actual size and flowering may vary slightly based on season.
Agave Ferox
Agave Ferox is the bold variety of Agave salmiana, the giant pulque agave from the uplands of Mexico. Its massive dark gray-green to blue-green leaves curve outward like flames, with short teeth along the edges and a long tip spine. Mature plants grow into a huge rosette that can reach 10 feet across. Plant it as a focal point in a large desert garden, with some afternoon shade in the Valley.
Best for: a focal point in a large desert garden with room to spread, semi-shaded succulent beds, and open ground away from walks.
Mature plants can reach 10 feet across, with leaves that curve out like flames. Give it open ground in a large desert garden, well away from walks and the house.
Pulque agaves do best in Phoenix with partial sun or high, filtered shade, not strong western sun. A spot under a high tree canopy suits it.
When it finally blooms, the tall stalk of green-yellow flowers draws bees, birds and hummingbirds. It also makes many pups you can replant.
It quickly outgrows small spaces. Overwatering and poor drainage can rot it. The edge teeth and 2 to 3 inch tip spine are dangerous near paths, pools and play areas.
- Tight group6 ft apart, center to center
- Open planting12 ft apart, center to center
Set it in dry soil at the depth it grew in the pot. Hold off watering for about 1 to 2 weeks in warm weather, or up to a month when it is cool. Then water about every other week while nights stay above 60°F. Light shade cloth for the first few weeks helps it settle.
Water deeply, then let the soil dry before the next soak. About every 2 weeks in summer and every 3 to 4 weeks in spring and fall is plenty. Cut back by October and let winter rain carry it.
Most plants never need fertilizer. If you do feed, use a light balanced fertilizer in spring or early summer, never on a new plant and never in fall or winter. No pruning is needed beyond removing dead lower leaves.
Give it sun with partial shade from the strongest afternoon heat. In Phoenix, pulque agaves do not handle strong western full sun, so avoid hot west walls.
It makes many pups over its life. Dig them with a sharp shovel, let the cut dry for several days, then plant them or give them away.
Drainage test first. Dig the hole and fill it with water. If water is still sitting in the hole a day later, you likely hit caliche, clay or hard soil, so fix the drainage before planting. If it drains very fast, the soil is sandy. Standing water around roots is a common reason new plants fail.
Weed cloth. Cut it away from the planting hole and where the roots will spread. Remove any plastic sheeting completely, since it keeps water and air out of the soil.
Rock or decomposed granite with no soil underneath. Bring in soil close in texture to your native soil, mix it with the soil below, and build up enough depth for roots before planting.
If you can break through. Use a breaker bar, pick, or jackhammer. Dig through the caliche and break out the solid chunks. Backfill with the soil you dug out, with no compost or manure in the hole. Confirm drainage before planting.
If you cannot break through. Dig narrow holes through the hard layer beside the root ball, not under it, and refill them with the same soil, not gravel. If it still will not drain, plant on a low mound of the same soil.
Root ball. Check the outside edges for any roots circling around. Loosen or cut those so they grow outward. Do not break up the center of the root ball.
Depth. The top of the root ball should sit at or just slightly above the surrounding soil level. Planting too deep can lead to rot and kill the plant.
Drip emitters. At planting, put the emitters on the root ball, on different sides of the plant. After about 2 months, move them to the outer edge of the root ball. Over the first year, add emitters farther out toward the edge of the branches as roots grow. Once a plant is rooted, never water only at the trunk.
What is Agave Ferox?
It is Agave salmiana var. ferox, a bold variety of the giant pulque agave. Ferox comes from the same Latin root as ferocious, for its wild look.
How big does Agave Ferox get?
It gets very big, about 10 feet across and 4 to 10 feet tall at maturity. Only plant it where it has that much open room.
Does it need shade in Phoenix?
Yes, it does best with some shade from the strongest afternoon heat. Pulque agaves do not handle strong western full sun in Phoenix, so keep it off hot west walls.
How often should I water it?
Water deeply now and then, and let the soil dry completely between waterings. Keep it dry in winter. Overwatering can lead to rot.
How cold can it take?
Pulque agave is listed as hardy to about 18 to 25°F. Cover it with frost cloth that reaches the ground on hard freeze nights.
Does Agave Ferox make pups?
Yes. It makes many pups over its life. Dig them with a sharp shovel, let the cut dry for several days, then plant them.
When does it bloom?
It blooms once, at the end of its life, on a very tall stalk of green-yellow flowers about 15 to 40 feet high. The plant then dies, so cut it out and let a pup take its place.
Are the spines dangerous?
Yes. Short teeth line the leaf edges and the tip spine can be 2 to 3 inches long. Clip the tips if it grows near foot traffic, and keep it back from paths.
Why is my agave drooping or soft?
A drooping, squishy plant points to rot from overwatering or poor drainage, so water less and let the soil dry out. Wilting can also mean the agave snout weevil, so remove an infested plant quickly.
Is it poisonous to pets?
Agave sap can irritate a pet's mouth and skin if chewed and upset the stomach. The spines can also injure. Keep pets from chewing on it.
Agave Ferox for sale in Arizona, delivered to you
Agave Ferox is Agave salmiana var. ferox, a giant pulque agave named for its bold, fierce look. Below is what to expect from it in the Valley, from size, shade and water to cold, pups and blooming.
Sourced from trusted Arizona growers and delivered directly to your door, job site, or property. We deliver across the Valley and to nearby towns, and quote delivery anywhere else in Arizona.
What is Agave salmiana ferox?
It is a bold variety of Agave salmiana, the giant pulque agave. The massive, curving leaves are dark gray-green to blue-green with short edge teeth and a long tip spine.
How big does Agave Ferox get?
Mature plants can reach about 10 feet across and 4 to 10 feet tall. It needs a large, open space away from walks.
Does Agave Ferox need shade in Phoenix?
Give it sun with some shade from the hottest afternoon sun. Pulque agaves do not handle strong western full sun in Phoenix.
How often do you water Agave Ferox?
Water it occasionally and deeply, and let the soil dry out completely between waterings. Keep it dry in winter and plant it in soil that drains fast.
Is Agave Ferox cold hardy?
Pulque agave is listed as hardy to about 18 to 25°F. Use frost cloth that reaches the ground on hard freeze nights.
When does Agave Ferox bloom?
It blooms once at the end of its life on a very tall stalk of green-yellow flowers that draws bees. It then dies, and its many pups carry on.
We deliver across the Valley, from Phoenix, Scottsdale and Mesa out to San Tan Valley, Maricopa and Casa Grande, and up to Prescott, Sedona, Payson and Globe. See delivery areas and rates.