Agave macroacantha (Black-Spined Agave) Plant

Description

Agave macroacantha, commonly known as Black-Spined Agave, is a striking and compact agave species native to the dry, rocky regions of Oaxaca and Puebla in southern Mexico. Highly prized by succulent collectors and xeriscape gardeners, it is known for its symmetrical rosette shape and dramatic, dark-coloured spines.

Agave macroacantha’s produce a dense, symmetrical, and compact rosette. Its leaves are narrow, bluish-grey to greenish-grey with a smooth surface, growing up to 30–60cm tall and wide. This agaves prized feature is its prominent dark brown to black terminal spines (up to 2.5 cm or 1 inch long) and smaller marginal teeth.

Black-Spined Agave blooms after many years with a tall spike, up to 3 metres, bearing yellow to reddish flowers. The plant dies after flowering but may produce offsets (“pups”) at the base.

Agave macroacantha is perfect for rock gardens, desert landscapes, and modern architectural planting. It is also ideal for pots and raised beds due to its manageable size and sculptural form. This agave is excellent for low-water landscapes and sustainable gardening and is highly sought after by agave enthusiasts for its dramatic appearance.

• Specifications.

Seed Grown Plant
Bare Rooted

Ideal Growing Conditions.

Agave macroacantha is a tolerant plant, it can be placed in direct sunlight or shade and requires minimal watering.  It thrives in highly porous, sandy potting soil, and should be allowed to dry out between waterings. Repotting annually in the spring is recommended.

Pruning: Remove dead or damaged leaves at the base with gloves and long sleeves (spines are sharp!). Remove offsets (“pups”) from the base to control spread or replant them.

Pests and Diseases: Agave macroacantha are generally low-maintenance but can be affected by Agave snout weevil (borers into the base), Mealybugs or scale insects on leaves. Ensure good airflow and drainage to prevent rot or infestations.

Soil: You need a high quality potting mix, not a pre-bagged product such as you find at Bunnings etc, try a landscaping place. However, as I am not local to you I still can’t say if they have good quality or not. You are looking for well composted pine bark and large particles. This ensures air flow to the roots and good drainage. When time to re-pot, select a pot one size up ONLY and ensure it has many holes for good drainage.

Fertiliser: We recommend and use Yates Nutricote Standard Black 270 Day Controlled Release Fertiliser however any good quality slow release fertiliser will do. We also stock an Australian Made liquid indoor fertiliser The Plant Runner Indoor Plant Food which is easy to use and odourless.

We cannot send plants to Western Australia & Tasmania due to restrictions.

We strongly recommended to select Express Post shipping for all plant orders to minimise the transit time.

Interested in Agave’s? Have a look at our other products

Agave maximiliana (Maguey Lechuguilla) Plant

Agave tequilana (Blue Agave) Plant

Agave parryi var. huachucensis ‘Wakefield’ (Giant Huachuca Agave) Plant

*Traditional uses and general information on products are provided for educational purposes only. We do not make any therapeutic claims. Nothing contained in this site is intended to be used as medical advice and it is not intended to be used to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Nor should it be used for therapeutic purposes or as a substitute for your own health professional’s advice.