It is essential to wear robust gloves when handling these plants to prevent a painful injury from the spiny thorns. During the summer water regularly and apply a low-nitrogen fertiliser three or four times. Reduce the frequency of watering in autumn and do not water in winter.

The agave requires a very well-drained soil and a sunny position. Being a monocarpic species the plant lives for a number of years without flowering but the rosette dies once it does. However, it normally produces plenty of suckers during its life and these take about 10 - 15 years in a warm climate, considerably longer in colder ones, before flowering.

Seed - Surface sow in a light position in April in a warm greenhouse or sunny windowsill. The seed usually germinates in 1 - 3 months (Ideally at 20øc). Prick out the seedlings into individual pots of well-drained soil or cactus compost when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in a sunny position in the greenhouse or windowsill.

Offsets - Potted up in free draining soil or cactus mix at any time they are available. Keep in a warm greenhouse until they are well established.

Make your own cactus mix: 1 part multi purpose compost, one part peat substitute, one part coarse grit, one part sharp sand. Mix thoroughly.

Increase the growth rate of your agave by watering frequently in summer with tomato feed.