An agave that never needs watering, never gets root rot and never dies back after a frost. This garden sculpture is a metal agave, with thick pointed leaves fanning out from the centre, just like the real succulent. It is painted in a bold colour and mounted on a ground stake. Push it into a garden bed, a gravel garden or a big pot, and it looks like the plant is growing straight out of the ground.

Why It Stands Out

• Looks like it's growing there — the leaves start right at ground level, so once the stake is in, it looks like a real agave sprouting from the soil
• Bold colour all year — blue, green or pink painted metal that stands out against gravel, mulch and green foliage, even in winter
• Three sizes — 27 cm for pots and small beds, 35 cm for borders, and 55 cm as a feature piece. Group different sizes for a natural, layered look
• Next to no care — no watering, no feeding, no spiky leaves to prune and no pups to dig out
• Weathered, rust-look finish — hand-painted metal with rust-coloured streaks through the colour, for a rustic desert-garden look. It's metal garden decor made to stay outside
• A gift for plant lovers — a fun present for succulent fans, and one of the easier garden gifts for people whose real plants never seem to survive

Where to Put It

• Dry and gravel gardens — among rocks, pebbles and real succulents, where it fits in naturally
• Garden beds and borders — a splash of colour among low plants, or to fill a gap where plants keep failing
• Large pots and planters — the 27 cm size suits pots on a patio, deck or front step
• Coastal and hot gardens — a colourful "plant" for spots that are too sunny, windy or dry for much else to grow
• Front yards and entries — a pair or trio beside the path or letterbox makes a striking entrance
• Indoors — in a pot of pebbles on a shelf or in a sunroom

How It Works

1. Leaves are shaped from metal — each leaf is cut and bent into the pointed, curving shape of a real agave.
2. Hand-painted — colour is painted over the metal, with rust-coloured streaks left through it for a weathered look.
3. The stake goes into the ground — a stake under the base holds it firmly upright in soil or potting mix.
4. It stays put all year — no growing, no dying and just a rinse now and then.

How to Set It Up

1. Pick the spot — somewhere it can be seen, ideally among rocks, gravel or low plants.
2. Loosen the soil — in hard or dry ground, water the spot first or make a small hole with a trowel.
3. Push the stake straight down — until the bottom leaves sit on or just above the surface.
4. Hide the stake — top with gravel, mulch or pebbles so it really looks like it's growing there.
Tip: group three agaves of different sizes in a triangle — large at the back, small at the front. It looks far more natural than one on its own.

Care and Maintenance

• Hose it down — a quick rinse removes dust and garden dirt
• Expect it to weather — it's painted metal, and the rust-look streaks are part of the design. Outdoors, and especially near the coast, the metal will weather further over time. A clear outdoor sealant spray slows this down
• Handle with care — the leaf tips are pointed, so place it away from where children play
• Expect some fading — the harsh Australian sun softens painted colours over time. Afternoon shade keeps them bright for longer
• Keep the base clear of standing water — good drainage around the stake slows weathering
• Re-seat after heavy rain — press the stake back in if the soil has softened and it starts to lean

Specifications

What's Included

• 1 × Metal agave sculpture in your chosen size and colour