Agave Macroacantha | Black-spined Agave

Agave macroacantha (Black-spined Agave) - This very distinctive small to medium-sized Agave is native to barren rocky ground in the Mexican state of Oaxaca and near Tehuacan in Puebla. It forms dense clumps to nearly 2 feet tall by 5 feet wide composed of 10 to 16 inch wide rosettes. The rosettes have narrow blue-gray leaves that are evenly spaced and radiate straight out from the center of the plant. The leaves have very straight margins with contrasting small dark brown teeth and an even darker 1 inch long terminal spine. When this plant begins to flower the center leaves take on an attractive reddish hue where the dark red inflorescence begins to emerge, though it has been reported that the age of the plant needs to be 15 years or better to flower. Mary and Gary Irish report in "Agaves, Yuccas and Related Plants" that it forms purple-tinged green flowers with a fuzzy interior and are borne on slender stalks to 6 1/2 feet tall that have 10 to 14 side branches". Plant in well-drained soil in full sun (Light shade or eastern exposure in hot low desert areas). Little irrigation is necessary in coastal gardens but should be given occasionally in warmer inland situations. This plant has proven hardy in a garden in one of the coldest locations in Santa Barbara and has not been bothered by short duration temperatures as low as 20 °F, though it is listed by most as hardy only to 25° F. This is a really attractive species but we have decided to concentrate on a form that is a very nice silvery-gray that came from the yard of one of our own employees. We call this plant Agave macroacantha 'Pablo's Choice'. This information about Agave macroacantha displayed is based on our research conducted in our own horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We will also relate observations we have made of it as it grows in our nursery gardens and in other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will incorporate comments that we receive from others and welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share any cultural information that would aid others in growing it.

Source: San Marcos Growers