Agave bovicornuta (Cow Horn Agave) – Succulent plants

Agave bovicornuta (Cow Horn Agave) is an ornamental, small to medium-sized, solitary growing Agave. It is growing up to 90 cm tall and up to 1.5 m wide, with an open rosette of up to 76 cm long and up to 16.5 cm wide, yellow-green to medium-green leaves that are widest in the middle. The leaf blades are attractively edged with large, reddish, dark brown teeth on large teats, some recurving back towards the base and others towards the leaf tip, which has a short stout terminal spine. The broadleaf surfaces are further decorated by impressions (crenulated bud imprints) made by the margins of other leaves as they emerge from the center of growth and the new leaves have an attractive satin finish. When the plant matures, which usually takes 12 years or more, it produces up to 7 m tall, branched inflorescence bearing 5 cm long, yellow and green flowers.

Scientific Classification:

Family: Asparagaceae
Subfamily: Agavoideae
Genus: Agave

Scientific Name: Agave bovicornuta Gentry
Common Names: Cow Horn Agave

How to grow and maintain Agave bovicornuta (Cow Horn Agave):

Light:
It thrives best in full sun to light shade. A south or south-east facing window works great.

Soil:
It prefers to grow in well-drained soil. Use standard succulent or cacti potting mix.

Temperature:
It prefers warm spring and summer temperatures 70ºF/21ºC – 90ºF/32ºC and cooler fall and winter temperatures 50ºF/10ºC – 60ºF/15ºC.

Water:
In spring, water this plant when the top inch of soil is totally dry. Don’t let the soil become completely dry. In the winter and fall, when growth is suspended, water very lightly. Too much water can cause root rot or cause the leaves to become pale and flop.

Fertilizer:
Fertilize with a standard liquid fertilizer every two weeks during spring and summer. Do not feed during fall and winter.

Propagation:
It can be easily propagated from offshoots which is the fastest and most reliable method of agave plant production. Agave plants put out offshoots from the base of the mother plants that are easily removed to begin a new plant. Growing agave from seed produces a large number of plants quickly. A moist, sterile soil mix containing equal parts perlite and sphagnum peat is ideal for germinating seeds in a warm location with indirect light. The soil must stay lightly moist until the plants are established. A clear plastic covering helps keep the soil moist during the two to three weeks until the seeds sprout, then a daily misting keeps the seedlings moist until ready to transplant.

Pests and Diseases:
It has no serious pest or disease problems. Watch for mealybugs and scale.