Hedgehog Agave

*Agave stricta*, often called needle-leaf or hedgehog agave, makes dense, nearly spherical rosettes of narrow, rigid leaves tipped with sharp spines. The fine, radiating foliage creates a distinctive textural accent in sunny gravel gardens, dry slopes and low-traffic landscape beds. ## Form and flowering The evergreen rosettes may cluster into a rounded colony. The [South Australian Botanic Gardens profile](https://plantselector.botanicgardens.sa.gov.au/Plants/Details/653) gives a cultivated size near 2 ft high by 3 ft wide and notes a narrow flower spike about 6 ft tall. The [Jardín Botánico Iztacala at UNAM](https://sitios.iztacala.unam.mx/jabiz/agave-stricta/) documents narrow glaucous-green to yellow-green or purplish leaves and red to purple flowers; it also describes a much taller flowering structure. These size figures vary by growing conditions and the plant’s age. The South Australian profile places flowering in spring and summer and notes that nectar-feeding birds and insects may visit. ## Siting Grow it in full sun in gravelly, sandy or loamy soil that drains freely. It tolerates dry conditions and needs little supplementary water in the South Australian Botanic Gardens profile. Give the sharp leaf tips room from paths and seating. The species is native to central Mexico; use it as a structural specimen or group it on a dry slope. ## Maintenance No routine shaping is needed. Remove damaged leaves only when necessary, using gloves and eye protection. Avoid waterlogged soil and limit irrigation in cool weather.