Publication: Contr. U.S. Natl. Herb. xxiii. 140 (1920).
Origin and Habitat
Arizona, USA.
Cultivation and Propagation
It is a stunning specimen plant for containers or a well drained spot in the garden. It tend to be slow grower, but worth the effort. Grow it in porous soil with adequate drainage. Itdo well in full sun or a lightly shaded area. Water thoroughly when soil is dry to the touch. In winter watering this plant can be done once every 1-2 months, there is no need to mist the leaves. It is theoretically hardy to -3° C, particularly when dry but it is best to avoid severe freezing temperatures. Heat Tolerance: good
Propagation: Relatively easy to propagate by seeds or by suckers (if available) Remove the basal suckers in spring or summer and let the cuttings dry for a few days before inserting in compost.. only problem is the logistics of getting to the suckers - very sharp spines and suckers usually right up against, or underneath the mother plant.
Uses: These striking plants are wonderful when used for accent or simply to provide some all year round foliage colour and often used in a pot as a patio plant, they make an eye-catching statement and along with other evergreen plants in pots, can be moved around to change the scenery or position to give more shelter.Uses: These striking plants are wonderful when used for accent or simply to provide some all year round foliage colour and often used in a pot as a patio plant, they make an eye-catching statement and along with other evergreen plants in pots, can be moved around to change the scenery or position to give more shelter.
Bibliography
Major references and further lectures
-
Howard Scott Gentry “Agaves of Continental North America” University of Arizona Press, 01/Feb/2004
-
Urs Eggli “Illustrated Handbook of Succulent Plants: Monocotyledons” Springer, 2001
-
Hermann Jacobsen ”A Handbook of Succulent Plants: Abromeitiella to Euphorbia” Blandford Press, 1960