Mauritius Hemp

(Furcraea foetida)

Mauritius Hemp (Furcraea foetida)

Forest and Kim Starr

CC BY 2.0

Image By: Forest and Kim Starr

Recorded By:

Copyright Notice: Photo by: Forest and Kim Starr | License Type: CC BY 2.0 | License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/ | Uploader: Starr Environmental | Publisher: Flickr

Estimated Native Range

Summary

Furcraea foetida, commonly known as Mauritius Hemp, is an evergreen succulent native to dry areas and rocky terrain from Costa Rica to Northern South America and the Caribbean. This plant is a perennial subshrub, either stemless or with a short stem up to 1 meter tall. The leaves are long, sword-shaped, and may reach up to 2 meters in length, forming a dense rosette. The greenish to creamy white flowers are 4 cm long, strongly scented, and appear on a large, impressive inflorescence that can grow up to 7.5 meters tall. Mauritius Hemp is cultivated in subtropical and tropical regions both for its fiber, which is similar to sisal, and as an ornamental plant in gardens due to its striking form and impressive flower spikes.

Mauritius Hemp is drought-tolerant and requires very little maintenance, making it suitable for xeriscaping. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soils, and it is an excellent choice for adding architectural interest to a garden. The plant’s fibers are used for making ropes, twine, and other products. However, it can become invasive in suitable climates, so care should be taken to manage its spread.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

Plant Type: Succulent
Height: 4-5 feet
Width: 6-8 feet
Growth Rate: Rapid
Flower Color: Cream, Green
Flowering Season: Fall, Winter
Leaf Retention: Evergreen

Growth Requirements

Sun: Full Sun
Water: Very Low, Low
Drainage: Fast

Common Uses

Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Fire Resistant, Fragrant, Low Maintenance, Potted Plant, Salt Tolerant, Showy Flowers

Natural Habitat

native to dry areas and rocky terrain from Costa Rica to Northern South America and the Caribbean

Other Names

Common Names: Mauritius-Hemp, Giant Cabuya, Green-Aloe, Mauritiushanf, Pita Floja, Pita Gigante, Cáñamo De Mauritania, Aloès Vert, Chanvre De Maurice, Pita

Scientific Names: , Furcraea foetida, Furcraea gigantea, Fourcroya gigantea, Furcraea commelyni, Agave foetida, Furcraea gigantea var. mediopicta, Furcraea gigantea var. willemetiana, Agave bulbosa, Agave commelyni

GBIF Accepted Name: Furcraea foetida (L.) Haw.