Furcraea Foetida Care: Learn Grow The False Agave

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Furcraea foetida (fer-KREE-uh FET-uh-duh) is usually a trunkless succulent that is a close relative to the Agave belonging to the family Agavaceae now the Asparagaceae family.

It hails from northern South America and the Caribbean. However, Furcraea is cultivated in several countries, including Thailand, India, Australia, Portugal, and many more.

False Agave plant - FurcraeaPin
Furcraea at Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania – Image: David J. Stang [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons

It looks very much like a giant variegated Agave plant which earned it the common name of – Variegated False Agave or simply False Agave plant.

However, here are other furcraea foetida common name:

  • Mauritius-Hemp
  • Agave foetida
  • Agave Furcraea
  • Giant Cabuya Green Aloe
  • Giant False Agave
  • Cuban Hemp

Furcraea foetida ‘variegata’ is also known by the synonym Furcraea gigantea.



False Agave Care

Size and Growth

This furcraea foetida variegata has large, fleshy leaves and can reach 6’ feet tall with a width of about 8’ – 10’ feet.

The sword-shaped leaves have some sharp-edged pricks along the bottom of the plant which are about 0.5” to 1” long and are spaced widely apart.

In addition to this, it also has a number of large plantlets that are between 1” to 16” long that cover the inflorescence.

Flowering and Fragrance

When the plant flowers, it produces a large growing flower stalk reaching up to 20’ feet tall.

It blooms with strongly-scented greenish-white false agave flower attractive to bees.

Furcaria plant flowers grow on the thick stem shooting from the middle of the plant, and color ranges from green to white.

Light and Temperature

This is a light-loving plant and should be planted in an area where it can get plenty of sunlight.

When grown outdoors, choose a spot that gets full sun to light shade. If you are planting it indoors, make sure it’s near an east-facing or west-facing window.

Furcraea grows best in semi-humid environments and can tolerate temperatures as low as 25° degrees Fahrenheit.

Watering and Feeding

The large root system in this plant makes it drought-tolerant. Water it moderately during summers and the blooming season but after that, it requires only occasional watering.

Be very careful not to overwater as it can be very damaging for the plant.

To feed your Furcraea, use a controlled-release fertilizer at the start of the growing season.

Alternatively, you can use a diluted liquid solution.

Keep in mind that younger small plants will need a lesser concentration of nitrogen in their fertilizer, while older plants will need a higher strength.

Soil and Transplanting

Well-drained soil is a must for healthy growth. They usually prefer slightly acidic soil.

When repotting your Furcraea foetida plant, make sure that you have a pot large enough to contain this massive plant, as it can grow quite big.

The soil should be absolutely dry before you plant. Make sure to take away any dead roots and knock off the old soil first.

Once you’ve transplanted Mauritius hemp, give it at least a week before watering to avoid chances of root rot.

Grooming and Maintenance

Furcaria plants are self-sufficient. Under the right conditions, it does not require a lot of pampering and is drought-tolerant.

How to Propagate False Agave

Durcraea foetida propagation can be done using the small plantlets that appear at the bottom of the plant.

Separate and repot them in new containers, and be careful of how much water you provide.

The plant should begin to grow easily with the right light and growing conditions.

Fake Agave Plant Pests or Diseases

These furcraea variegated plants are susceptible to a number of pests, such as mites, aphids, and mealybugs.

Mites can be difficult to spot, but they’re usually noticeable when the plant’s leaves will start to curl. Get rid of them by using insecticide soap.

Aphids are tiny, soft-bodied insects that can also be cleaned easily by washing the leaves or using insecticide soap.

Mealybugs are harder to get rid of. They can be identified by their small, cotton-like appearance on the plant. Apply Neem oil for control.

The Agave Snout Weevil will also burrow into the center of the plant.

Uses For Furcraea Plants

This plant produces a large quantity of fiber, which is extracted from the plant and is used to make a number of products, such as twine, cloth, mats, and ropes.

Thanks to its attractive appearance and unique flowers, it is also used widely as an ornamental plant and makes an attractive potted specimen in high-light locations.

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