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Butterfly Agave Potatorum
Butterfly Agave Potatorum
Butterfly Agave Potatorum

Do you want to add something unique and beautiful to your garden? Look no further than the Butterfly Agave, also known as Agave potatorum. This beautiful succulent plant boasts a light green color with red margins, making it stand out among other succulents. Not only is it visually appealing, but its winter flowering will bring life to your garden during the colder months.  

However, it's important to note that this plant is toxic for both humans and pets - so handle it with caution! Keep reading to learn more about how to care for this mesmerizing plant!

Watering Needs 

Desert plants like butterfly agave succulents are adapted to survive in harsh hot environments, storing water in their stems and trunks for months at a time. During summer you should water them every 1-2 weeks or when the soil is dry. In winter you may not need to water them at all.   

On the other hand, if there is a severe drought or you forget to water them for over a month during the summer then it can lead to discoloration and a shriveling look as it consumes more of the water in its interior.  When you do water them, take care not to overwater as this can lead to root rot and fungal infections. 

Light Requirements 

Providing enough light for this desert plant is one of the most important aspects of their care. It is important to grow Agave potatorum plants in areas that receive at least 4-6 hours of bright, direct light every day to keep them happy. 

If indoors, place your butterfly agave directly in front of a west- or south-facing window. If they don't receive enough light, their stems may grow leggy and become paler and their spines will shorten; so, make your succulents happy and give them plenty of light. 

Optimal Soil & Fertilizer Needs 

The butterfly agave plants favor very airy, sandy soil that drains well. Planting them in ordinary soil will result in compacted roots, stunted growth, and most likely root rot. Instead, make or buy a well-draining potting mix, or ideally use our specialized succulent potting mix that contains over 10 natural substrates and mycorrhizae to promote the development of a strong root system that helps your succulent to thrive. 

When it comes to fertilizing your agave plants, it only needs a small amount of fertilizer applied once a year in spring. Succulents prefer an organic or natural fertilizer with lower doses of NPK, with a maximum ratio of 5-10-5 that is higher in phosphorus than nitrogen. 

Hardiness Zones & More 

Typically grown in hot, arid desert regions, these butterfly agave succulent plants thrive indoors in warm, dry surroundings. If you live in USDA regions 9 to 11, you can also grow these succulents outdoors year-round, but they are not cold- or frost-tolerant, so you should plant them indoors or put them in a pot and move them indoors during the winter if you live outside of these regions.  

Keep your succulent plant away from cold, drafty windows and air vents if you are growing it indoors in a cold climate.

You probably are not going to find this unique plant in your local garden store, it's actually easy to grow and we can ship it directly to your home, so what are you waiting for? Add this cool plant to your collection today. 

Bloom Season Winter
Botanical Name Agave potatorum
Common Name Butterfly agave
Dormancy Winter
Family Asparagaceae
Flower Color Light green, yellow (Tinged with red)
Genus Agave
Growth Habit Rosette
Growth Rate Slow
Hardiness Zone 9, 10, 11
Mature Size 2 ft. tall, 2 ft. wide
Native Area Mexico
Plant Type Perennial Succulent
Propagation By seeds, pups, offsets
Resistance Extremely drought-tolerant, heat resistance, pests resistance
Soil PH 6.5, Acidic, Neutral
Soil Type specialized succulent potting mix
Special Features Easy to maintain as houseplant
Sun Exposure Full sun (6+ hrs.), Partial shade (3–6 hrs. sun)
Toxicity Toxic to humans, toxic to cats, toxic to dogs
Watering Needs Deep irrigation
Back To Plant Description Main Page

Is the Agave potatorum plant poisonous or toxic? 

Agave plants have a poisonous sap that is highly irritant to the skin and toxic if consumed. Keep pets and small children out of reach. Sharp terminal and marginal spines protect Agave potatorum from predators. If they pierce the skin, they can be very painful. 

How Invasive Is the butterfly agave Plant? 

Even in areas where it can flourish, this small butterfly agave is not invasive because it grows very slowly and requires a very specific environment to survive. 

Back To Plant Description Main Page

Pests & Common Problems of Agave Potatorum

Numerous pests attack the agave family in the wild. Soft-scale insects, agave snout weevils, and longhorn beetles are a few of them. You'll notice withered, dried-out leaves on your Agave potatorum, as well as brown spots on the plant itself if one of these pests is causing a pest problem.  

To get rid of these pests, spray your plant with a broad-spectrum insecticide. Until your plant regains its health, keep a close eye on it and reapply as necessary (per the instructions). 

Additionally, make sure your succulent is placed in an area with good airflow and receives a lot of sunlight. Quickly get rid of withered leaves because they may contain fungus. You will need to start over if your plant contracts a fungus infection.

To get rid of any mold spores, make sure to clean the area where you'll keep your new agave. Use a fresh container and fresh potting soil when planting your new agave in a container. 

Growers Quick Reference Guide - Key Features

Bloom Season Winter
Botanical Name Agave potatorum
Common Name Butterfly agave
Dormancy Winter
Family Asparagaceae
Flower Color Light green, yellow (Tinged with red)
Genus Agave
Growth Habit Rosette
Growth Rate Slow
Hardiness Zone 9, 10, 11
Mature Size 2 ft. tall, 2 ft. wide
Native Area Mexico
Plant Type Perennial Succulent
Propagation By seeds, pups, offsets
Resistance Extremely drought-tolerant, heat resistance, pests resistance
Soil PH 6.5, Acidic, Neutral
Soil Type specialized succulent potting mix
Special Features Easy to maintain as houseplant
Sun Exposure Full sun (6+ hrs.), Partial shade (3–6 hrs. sun)
Toxicity Toxic to humans, toxic to cats, toxic to dogs
Watering Needs Deep irrigation

Agave Potatorum FAQs

Is the Agave potatorum plant poisonous or toxic? 

Agave plants have a poisonous sap that is highly irritant to the skin and toxic if consumed. Keep pets and small children out of reach. Sharp terminal and marginal spines protect Agave potatorum from predators. If they pierce the skin, they can be very painful. 

How Invasive Is the butterfly agave Plant? 

Even in areas where it can flourish, this small butterfly agave is not invasive because it grows very slowly and requires a very specific environment to survive. 

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Butterfly Agave Potatorum

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Sale price$ 18.59
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Please note: All Landscape Ready plants that are in a 6-inch pot or larger WILL NOT come with a pot as it will be shipped bare root.

Please note: Our large plants are many years old, and as a result, they might have minor scaring but will arrive 100% healthy and looking great.

Please note: Our large plants are shipped bare root. They are also many years old, and as a result, they might have minor scaring but will arrive healthy and looking great.

Please note: All perennial drought tolerant plants 6 inch and larger plants will be shipped bare root. Before sending perennial plants, we often trim the leafy parts and remove flowers or buds. This helps them survive shipping and adjust to transplanting better.
Perennial plants shipped Mon - Wed only.

Please note: Perennial plants shipped Mon - Wed only.

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Any plant that is 6" and larger that is not in our Houseplant category will be shipped bare root (without a pot).

What makes us different is the passion and the attention to detail in all we do here at Planet Desert. We are confident in the quality of our products. That’s why all our plants have a 100% satisfaction guarantee.

If you are not 100% satisfied with your purchase, you can return the product and get a refund or exchange it for another one — similar or not. Shipping charges may apply.

You can return a product for up to 14 days from the date of purchase. Please submit photos with your order number to info@planetdesert.com to initiate your return. Shipping fees may apply.

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  • Description
  • Key Plant Features

Do you want to add something unique and beautiful to your garden? Look no further than the Butterfly Agave, also known as Agave potatorum. This beautiful succulent plant boasts a light green color with red margins, making it stand out among other succulents. Not only is it visually appealing, but its winter flowering will bring life to your garden during the colder months.  

However, it's important to note that this plant is toxic for both humans and pets - so handle it with caution! Keep reading to learn more about how to care for this mesmerizing plant!

Watering Needs 

Desert plants like butterfly agave succulents are adapted to survive in harsh hot environments, storing water in their stems and trunks for months at a time. During summer you should water them every 1-2 weeks or when the soil is dry. In winter you may not need to water them at all.   

On the other hand, if there is a severe drought or you forget to water them for over a month during the summer then it can lead to discoloration and a shriveling look as it consumes more of the water in its interior.  When you do water them, take care not to overwater as this can lead to root rot and fungal infections. 

Light Requirements 

Providing enough light for this desert plant is one of the most important aspects of their care. It is important to grow Agave potatorum plants in areas that receive at least 4-6 hours of bright, direct light every day to keep them happy. 

If indoors, place your butterfly agave directly in front of a west- or south-facing window. If they don't receive enough light, their stems may grow leggy and become paler and their spines will shorten; so, make your succulents happy and give them plenty of light. 

Optimal Soil & Fertilizer Needs 

The butterfly agave plants favor very airy, sandy soil that drains well. Planting them in ordinary soil will result in compacted roots, stunted growth, and most likely root rot. Instead, make or buy a well-draining potting mix, or ideally use our specialized succulent potting mix that contains over 10 natural substrates and mycorrhizae to promote the development of a strong root system that helps your succulent to thrive. 

When it comes to fertilizing your agave plants, it only needs a small amount of fertilizer applied once a year in spring. Succulents prefer an organic or natural fertilizer with lower doses of NPK, with a maximum ratio of 5-10-5 that is higher in phosphorus than nitrogen. 

Hardiness Zones & More 

Typically grown in hot, arid desert regions, these butterfly agave succulent plants thrive indoors in warm, dry surroundings. If you live in USDA regions 9 to 11, you can also grow these succulents outdoors year-round, but they are not cold- or frost-tolerant, so you should plant them indoors or put them in a pot and move them indoors during the winter if you live outside of these regions.  

Keep your succulent plant away from cold, drafty windows and air vents if you are growing it indoors in a cold climate.

You probably are not going to find this unique plant in your local garden store, it's actually easy to grow and we can ship it directly to your home, so what are you waiting for? Add this cool plant to your collection today. 

Bloom Season Winter
Botanical Name Agave potatorum
Common Name Butterfly agave
Dormancy Winter
Family Asparagaceae
Flower Color Light green, yellow (Tinged with red)
Genus Agave
Growth Habit Rosette
Growth Rate Slow
Hardiness Zone 9, 10, 11
Mature Size 2 ft. tall, 2 ft. wide
Native Area Mexico
Plant Type Perennial Succulent
Propagation By seeds, pups, offsets
Resistance Extremely drought-tolerant, heat resistance, pests resistance
Soil PH 6.5, Acidic, Neutral
Soil Type specialized succulent potting mix
Special Features Easy to maintain as houseplant
Sun Exposure Full sun (6+ hrs.), Partial shade (3–6 hrs. sun)
Toxicity Toxic to humans, toxic to cats, toxic to dogs
Watering Needs Deep irrigation

Pests & Common Problems of Agave Potatorum

Numerous pests attack the agave family in the wild. Soft-scale insects, agave snout weevils, and longhorn beetles are a few of them. You'll notice withered, dried-out leaves on your Agave potatorum, as well as brown spots on the plant itself if one of these pests is causing a pest problem.  

To get rid of these pests, spray your plant with a broad-spectrum insecticide. Until your plant regains its health, keep a close eye on it and reapply as necessary (per the instructions). 

Additionally, make sure your succulent is placed in an area with good airflow and receives a lot of sunlight. Quickly get rid of withered leaves because they may contain fungus. You will need to start over if your plant contracts a fungus infection.

To get rid of any mold spores, make sure to clean the area where you'll keep your new agave. Use a fresh container and fresh potting soil when planting your new agave in a container. 

Growers Quick Reference Guide - Key Features

Bloom Season Winter
Botanical Name Agave potatorum
Common Name Butterfly agave
Dormancy Winter
Family Asparagaceae
Flower Color Light green, yellow (Tinged with red)
Genus Agave
Growth Habit Rosette
Growth Rate Slow
Hardiness Zone 9, 10, 11
Mature Size 2 ft. tall, 2 ft. wide
Native Area Mexico
Plant Type Perennial Succulent
Propagation By seeds, pups, offsets
Resistance Extremely drought-tolerant, heat resistance, pests resistance
Soil PH 6.5, Acidic, Neutral
Soil Type specialized succulent potting mix
Special Features Easy to maintain as houseplant
Sun Exposure Full sun (6+ hrs.), Partial shade (3–6 hrs. sun)
Toxicity Toxic to humans, toxic to cats, toxic to dogs
Watering Needs Deep irrigation

Agave Potatorum FAQs

Is the Agave potatorum plant poisonous or toxic? 

Agave plants have a poisonous sap that is highly irritant to the skin and toxic if consumed. Keep pets and small children out of reach. Sharp terminal and marginal spines protect Agave potatorum from predators. If they pierce the skin, they can be very painful. 

How Invasive Is the butterfly agave Plant? 

Even in areas where it can flourish, this small butterfly agave is not invasive because it grows very slowly and requires a very specific environment to survive. 

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