Thorn-crested Agave

Location

Cactus & Succulent Garden

Thorn-crested Agave

​Agave lophantha

• ​​Common Name: Thorn-Crested Agave
  
• Scientific Name: Agave lophantha
  
• Family Name: Asparagaceae
  
• Origin: US and Mexico
  
• Height: 2’ – 3’
  
• Width: up to 2’
  
• Growth: slow
  
• Zone: 9 - 11
  
• Light Needs: Full sun – but will tolerate partial shade and will prevent scorching of the foliage.
  
• Salt Tolerance:  unknown
  
• Soil/PH/Texture: prefer a sandy/gravelly soil mix so a cactus soil mix works great and gives them good drainage. Are not too picky on nourishments but can look richer with a slow release fertilizer.
  
• Soil Moisture: only water when the soil completely dries out because they are very susceptible to root rot which will kill them. They need excellent drainage. (tolerates dry conditions but grows faster with summer irrigation)
  
• Drought Tolerance: high
  
• Pests/Diseases: Virtually disease free besides the common slug or snail can damage leaves.
  
• Growing Conditions: easy to grow and low maintenance, requires little attention and can thrive even on some neglect.
  
• Characteristics: has dark green rosettes with a lighter colored stripe pattern, it will take several years to bloom greenish yellow flowers once in its lifetime and then dies, however it produces babies or pups at its base to replace the mother plant.
  
• Propagation: by division of offsets or pups produced by the mother plant
  
• Wildlife: unknown
  
• Facts: unknown
  
• Designer Considerations: used as a focal point in a cactus, succulent or desert garden, mass plantings, as a barrier, beds, borders, as an accent, or as a container plant on your patio or deck.
  

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