Plant Form: Succulent
Water Use: Very low, low
Mature Size: 1.5 ft. tall x 2 ft. wide
Exposure: Full sun, part sun
Bloom Time: Summer (Aug), Fall (Sept-Oct)
Hardiness: Cold Hardy to 0-10°F
Native to: Southern Texas, Mexico
Thorncrest Agave is an attractive, small, rosette-forming succulent. Its dark green leaves have a pale green mid-stripe, and their edges are lined with sharp teeth. Several cultivars are available with various shades of color-stripe patterns of white and light or dark green. Green to yellow flowers are born on the 12-foot stalk of mature plants. Known also as Thorncrest Century Plant, this slow-growing plant takes many years to bloom, but like most agaves, each plant only flowers once, and dies soon afterwards. Numerous “pups” are produced around the base, and each of those continues to grow. Propagation is easy from these offsets. Plant in full sun to moderate shade in well-drained soil and irrigate only occasionally. This handsome species is great as an accent, focal point, container plant, or barrier plant in sunny or partially shaded sites in rock gardens, cactus gardens, and native plant gardens.
THIS MONTH IN YOUR DESERT-SMART LANDSCAPE
Good month to sit back and enjoy your garden, few choices besides watering and grooming.
- Walk irrigation lines to check for clogs, leaks, and breaks
- Deadhead spent flowers, trim off dead flowering stems (save any seeds for replanting)
- Continue deep-watering trees and shrubs once a month
- Keep adding to mulches to conserve water, keep soils and roots cool, and reduce frequency of watering