A four-metre alcohol-producing plant more commonly found in the harsh terrain of southern and central Mexico is flowering in the garden of a retired GP in Worcester Park.

Jan Kolendo, 68, planted the agave salmiana offshoot in 1992 in his garden in Delta Road, Worcester Park, hoping, but not expecting it would ever reach its impressive size.

The succulent plant grows to eight to 10 feet before flowering. Once it has flowered it can reach heights of 40 feet (just over 12 metres).

Surrey Comet:

The salmiana plant – or more commonly known as a giant agave – is easily recognised by its thick, curving grey-green spined leaves. J

uices of the plant can be extracted, fermented and then distilled to produce mescal – an alcoholic beverage similar to tequila.

The plant can survive temperatures of minus seven degrees Celsius, but tends to thrive and flower in far hotter climates than Mr Kolendo’s garden in Worcester Park.

The retired GP has always had an interest in cacti, and in 2010 he began volunteering at Kew Gardens, encouraging him to further his interest and knowledge in succulent plants.

“A lot of South American cacti will survive in English weather,” Mr Kolendo explained.

“It’s not the cold that kills them – it’s the combination of the wet and the cold.”

The four-metre plant dominates Mr Kolendo’s garden, which is full of significantly smaller cacti, blocking a garden path.

“The leaves have nasty teeth so you can’t get past,” he said.

“My wife says it would be lovely to have our path back, but if it’s a mild winter it may continue growing.”