How to care for and propagate Agave macroacantha Black-spined AgaveAgave macroacantha Black-spined Agave care and propagation informationPin

Agave macroacantha

Black-spined Agave

Posted by: Cassidy Tuttle | Updated:

This beautiful blue-gray agave forms tight-growing, symmetrical rosettes. The leaves are long and tipped with a black spine. Each leaf has dark brown “teeth” growing along the edges. Although it is monocarpic, it can take 15 years or more to bloom.

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Quick Look:

  • Full sun to partial shade

  • Typical water needs for a succulent

  • Plant grows up to 24″ (61 cm) tall
    Plant grows up to 48″ (122 cm) wide

  • Zone 10a (Minimum 30° F | -1.1° C)

  • Not cold hardy

  • Propagation by division and offsets

  • Can be toxic to humans and animals

  • Winter Dormant
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Care and Propagation Information

General Care for Agave macroacantha “Black-spined Agave”

Agave macroacantha “Black-spined Agave” is a great addition to rock gardens or hanging baskets. As it grows, it spreads out as a small shrub.

Watering

“Black-spined Agave” has typical watering needs for a succulent. It's best to use the “soak and dry” method, and allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings.

Where to Plant

“Black-spined Agave” is not cold hardy, so if you live in a zone that gets colder than 30° F (-1.1° C), it's best to plant this succulent in a container that can be brought indoors. It does well in full to partial sun.

Plant in an area of your garden that gets 6 hours of sunlight a day. If planting indoors, place in a room that gets a lot of sunlight, such as near a southern-facing window (if you're in the Northern Hemisphere).

How to Propagate Agave macroacantha “Black-spined Agave”

Agave macroacantha “Black-spined Agave” can be propagated from division or offsets.

Division

To grow “Black-spined Agave” from division, split the rhizome using a sharp knife. Be sure that there are plenty of roots. Allow the succulent to callous over for a day or two before replanting.

“Black-spined Agave” has toxic sap, as well as sharp spines along the stem. Please use care when handling or propagating this succulent.

Offsets

To grow “Black-spined Agave” from offsets, use a sterile, sharp knife or pair of scissors. Remove one of the offsets from the main plant, and allow it to callous for several days before planting well-draining soil.

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Stop killing your succulents with the help of this easy-to-use app

Keeping track of watering and remember the name of your succulent can be tricky. The Succulent Tracker App helps with both! Plus, it allows you to keep a photo history of your succulent, record when you repot or treat for pests, along with a number of other helpful actions.

Set a watering schedule for your succulent and the app will remind you when it’s time to water (so you’re not left wondering when you watered last).

Give it a try today to help you help your succulents thrive! Available on Apple and Android devices.

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