Agave potatorum, also known as butterfly agave or Verschaffelt agave, makes an attractive addition to any garden. This plant has a moderate growth rate and blooms with beautiful red or yellow flowers every year, making it a joy to have in your yard or home garden.
Although butterfly agave does not fall under the category of hardy or difficult houseplants, it does require proper care and maintenance to live up to its name as an exotic houseplant in your home.
Agave potatorum may be one of the most beautiful agaves available to home gardeners, but it’s also one of the more difficult species to care for properly, requiring high humidity and full shade.
Butterfly agave plants are very slow-growing and don’t produce many offsets when mature, but because of their unique appearance, they are highly sought after by hobbyists and collectors alike.
Understanding how to care for your butterfly agave will help you ensure its long-term health and can even help you revive an ailing plant or grow one from seed!
Origin and distribution
Agave potatorum is a species of agave that is native to Mexico. It is also known as the butterfly agave or Verschaffelt agave. The plant typically grows to be about 1 meter tall and 2 meters wide. The leaves are blue-green and have yellow or white stripes.
The flowers are yellow or white and bloom in the summer. In some areas, it can grow up to 10 feet tall with a width of 4 feet. The sap has been used by Native Americans for centuries as an ingredient in soap and is still used today.
The roots contain a high level of saponin which is toxic if ingested but can be rendered safe by boiling it twice before use. The roots are often boiled with water until the water turns brown, then strained and cooled before use in making soap or other products.
Agave potatorum propagation
Verschaffelt agave can be propagated by offsets, stem cuttings, or seeds. To propagate by offsets, remove the offset from the mother plant and allow it to dry for a few days before replanting.
For stem cuttings, cut a 6-8 inch piece from a healthy stem and remove the lower leaves. Allow the cutting to dry for a few days before replanting. Plant it in well-drained soil with good exposure to sunlight. You may need to stake the new plant for support.
After planting, water the plant until water runs out of the bottom of your pot. If you are going to leave the plant outdoors year-round, use mulch around the base of the plant to help retain moisture. If you want to store an offset or stem cutting over winter, place it in a well-ventilated area where temperatures will not fall below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
Agave potatorum care information
Agave potatorum, or butterfly agave, is a beautiful succulent that’s native to Mexico. It’s easy to care for, and can tolerate a wide range of conditions. However, there are a few things to keep in mind when caring for this plant.
Light requirement
One of the most important things to consider when caring for your agave potatorum is its light requirements. This plant requires full sun to partial shade, so make sure you place it in an area of your home that gets plenty of light.
If you live in a particularly hot climate, you may want to place your agave potatorum in a spot that gets some afternoon shade to prevent the leaves from burning.
Soil/potting mix
The butterfly agave is a stunning succulent that’s easy to care for. It’s important to use a well-draining soil or potting mix, as the plant is susceptible to root rot. I like to use a mix of two parts perlite and one part cactus mix.
You can also add a bit of sand to the mix for extra drainage. Be sure to water your agave only when the soil is dry to the touch. Allow the plant to dry out completely before watering again.
Watering
When watering your agave potatorum, be sure to use lukewarm water. Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings, and never let the plant sit in water.
During the hottest months, you may need to water your agave potatorum more frequently. If the leaves start to turn yellow, that is a sign that the plant is not getting enough water.
Fertilizer
If you want your agave to grow quickly, you’ll need to fertilize it regularly. A good rule of thumb is to fertilize every other week during the growing season and once a month during the winter. When choosing a fertilizer, look for one that is high in phosphorus, as this will promote blooming.
Apply the fertilizer around the base of the plant, being careful not to get any on the leaves. Follow the directions on the packaging for how much fertilizer to use. You can also apply compost or mulch around the base of your agave potatorum if you’re looking for something less expensive.
Temperature
Agave potatorum is a tropical plant, so it requires warm temperatures to thrive. It should be kept above freezing and will do best in an environment that is between 65 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
If you live in a cooler climate, you can grow this plant indoors near a sunny window. Just make sure to keep an eye on the temperature and humidity levels, as too much or too little of either can be detrimental to the plant.
Humidity
Agave potatorum is a succulent that grows in the desert. It’s easy to care for, and can tolerate some neglect. However, it’s important to know that this plant does best in high humidity.
If you live in a dry climate, you may want to consider growing your agave in a pot so that you can control the amount of water it gets. When watering, be sure to give the plant enough so that the soil is completely saturated.
The ideal humidity range is between 50-80%. Keep the air in your home moist by running a humidifier or installing an exhaust fan with a built-in humidistat near plants. Alternatively, place plants on trays of gravel and mist them regularly.
Pruning
You should prune Agave potatorum every year to help keep it from getting too leggy or crowded. To do this, wait until new growth has appeared on the plant after spring’s rains have begun, then cut off all the old foliage on top of the plant by 1/3rd.
Be sure to leave some foliage near the base so that it will grow back thicker than before and provide good shade for your plant’s roots. It’s important not to prune these plants during their winter dormancy because they need all the stored water they can get during these months.
Pruning can be done in early fall when new growth begins again, but only if you’re growing them indoors under artificial light.
If they get enough light throughout the day, they’ll still bloom even if you’ve trimmed them back severely, so feel free to experiment with how much pruning produces the best results for your individual circumstances!
When to repot
You’ll know it’s time to repot your agave when you see the roots spilling out of the bottom of the pot or if the plant is top-heavy and tipping over. If you wait too long, the plant will become rootbound and will be difficult to repot.
The best time to repot is in spring or summer when the plant is actively growing. Before removing any old soil from the root ball, soak the soil with water for a few minutes to help loosen it up.
To make sure you don’t hurt the delicate roots when transplanting, use a clean spoon to scoop out as much of the old soil as possible without breaking off any roots. Use fresh potting mix and place the agave in its new home carefully so that all of its fragile leaves are protected from getting crushed under its weight.
Dormancy/Winter rest
During the winter months, Agave potatorum enters a period of dormancy. This is a time of rest for the plant when it will not grow or produce new leaves. The plant will also require less water during this time.
To care for your agave during its dormancy, simply provide it with enough water to keep the soil moist and place it in a location where it will not receive frost damage. Do not worry about watering too much; it’s better to give too much than too little.
Agave potatorum flower & fragrance
The flowers of the agave potatorum are a beautiful sight. They are large and showy, and they have a sweet fragrance that is sure to please any gardener. The plant does best in full sun, but can tolerate some shade. It is important to water the plant regularly, as it is drought-tolerant. When watering, be sure to soak the soil thoroughly.
Growth rate
The growth rate of the agave potatorum is quite fast, and it can double in size every year. If you’re looking for a plant that will fill in a space quickly, this is a great choice.
Butterfly agaves are also relatively drought-tolerant, so they’re a good option for dry climates. However, they do require some supplemental water during the hottest months of the year.
Toxicity
Agave potatorum is not considered non-toxic and safe around children and pets.
USDA hardiness zones
Agave potatorum thrives best in USDA hardiness zones 10 through 12. It is a small, slow-growing plant that can grow up to 3 feet tall. It is important to note that there are several varieties of agave, and they do not all have the same care requirements.
You should consult your nursery or local gardening center for more information on the particular variety you want to grow.
Pests and diseases
As with most succulents, agave plants are generally quite resistant to pests and diseases. However, there are a few things to watch out for. Scale insects and mealybugs can infest the leaves, causing them to turn yellow and brown.
If you see any pests, simply wipe them off with a damp cloth or blast them with water from a hose. Occasionally, agaves may be affected by root rot or fungal diseases.
These problems usually only arise in plants that have been over-watered or allowed to stay wet for long periods of time. Root rot is usually caused by fungi in the soil; it begins at the base of the plant and gradually progresses up toward the center until it eventually kills the plant.
To help prevent this problem, make sure that your soil stays well-drained; if your soil is too heavy, add compost to lighten it up.
