Delosperma congestum

Delosperma congestum

Trichodiadema densum

Trichodiadema densum

Furcraea foetida

Mauritius Hemp, Mauritian Hemp, Giant Cabuya, Fique, Green Aloe, Cuban Hemp, Cuba Hemp, False Agave, Giant False Agave
Size
ex 2L pots
Availability: Sold Out
£19.99
Quick Overview
  • Large exotic upright rosette of spine-free sword-like foliage
  • Spectacular tall inflorescence
  • Creamy-green fragrant flowers
  • Good drainage and warm, sunny aspect
You could receive 20 Palm Points for writing a review for this product.
Add to My Wishlist Add to Compare Email to a Friend

Furcraea foetida is a large vigorous member of the Agavoideae from Central America, the adjoining northern region of South America and nearby islands of the southern Caribbean. It has naturalised in many warmer parts of the world and - along with other species of Furcraea - was taken to Mauritius where it acquired one of its common names: Mauritius Hemp. In Colombia in particular, its fibres are made into various handcrafts and continue to be utilsed in the production of rope and sacking although its worldwide use has now been largely curtailed by the advent of polypropylene.

Furcraea foetida is a fast-growing plant and with its upright rosette of long and broad strappy spine-free foliage it has the appearance of an exotic vegetal explosion. The stem is shortish or sometimes non-existent but the inflorescence is enormous - up to 8 metres high - and bears numerous fragrant creamy-green flowers which dangle down from the branches of the inflorescence in a spectacular display. Like other Furcraea species, bulbils form in the inflorescence together with numerous seeds.

Although a tropical plant, Furcraea has some cold-tolerance and can be grown outdoors in the UK in milder parts of the country particularly if harboured in a sheltering micro-climate. It requires a free-draining substrate and in the UK a south-facing aspect in full sun is best. If it is backed by a protective heat-absorbing wall of brick or masonary then so much the better.


Additional Information

Order Asparagales
Family Asparagaceae
Sub-Family Agavoideae
Synonyms Agave bulbosa, Agave commelyni, Agave foetida, Agave gigantea, Agave madagascariensis, Aloe foetida, Fourcroya gigantea, Funium piliferum, Furcraea atroviridis, Furcraea barillettii, Furcraea commelyni, Furcraea gigantea, Furcraea gigantea var. mediopicta, Furcraea madagascariensis, Furcraea viridis, Furcraea watsoniana
Geographical Origin South and Central America: Colombia, Costa Rica, French Guiana, Guyana, Panama, Suriname, Venezuela; Caribbean: Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuelan Antilles, Netherlands Antilles
Cultivation Well drained substrate. Sunny aspect. A warm location with good drainage and some overhanging foliage or protective wall to one side is ideal
Eventual Height 2m
Eventual Spread 2m
Hardiness Will withstand mild sub-zero temperatures for brief periods with good drainage. Best fleeced unless in very favourable microclimates. In colder locations keep in container and bring in under glass while still a smaller size
Furcraea foetida
Mauritius Hemp, Mauritian Hemp, Giant Cabuya, Fique, Green Aloe, Cuban Hemp, Cuba Hemp, False Agave, Giant False Agave
Size
ex 2L pots
Availability: Sold Out
£19.99
You could receive 20 Palm Points for writing a review for this product.
Add to My Wishlist Add to Compare Email to a Friend
content image

Free DELIVERY

ON ALL ORDERS OVER £99

THIS OFFER IS VALID ON ALL OUR STORE ITEMS.

You may also be interested in the following items