Ivory-spined agave care guide
Agave utahensis var. eborispina
Also known as: Eborispina
Pets and children
Caution advised
The long, sharp spines can injure, and the sap may irritate skin; swallowing it can upset the stomach, so keep it out of reach and consult a veterinarian or doctor if eaten.
How often to water Ivory-spined agave
- Spring–Summer (Mar–Sep)
- Every 14 days
- A summer grower that suffers in humid heat: as a guide, water well a few days after the soil dries through in spring, and lightly once or twice a month in the evening from the rainy season through midsummer.
- Autumn (Oct–Nov)
- Every 10 days
- Growth resumes as it cools; as a guide, water on a sunny morning two or three days after the soil dries through.
- Winter (Dec–Feb)
- Every month
- Keep it nearly dry, lightly moistening the soil about once a month on a warm morning, as a guide; the drier it is, the better it takes cold.
Light and placement for Ivory-spined agave
For long ivory spines, give it strong sun and constant airflow, as a guide; keep it out of rain from the rainy season through summer, with light shade and a fan when heat and humidity build up.
Overwintering Ivory-spined agave
Overwintering guide: −5°C (23°F) or above
Among the hardiest agaves, it is generally said to take about -5°C when dry; as a guide, keep it in sun under the eaves out of winter rain and snow.
Fertilizing and repotting Ivory-spined agave
Fertilizer
A plant of lean rocky ground, it needs almost none: at most diluted liquid feed about monthly in spring and fall, as a guide, and none from the rainy season through summer or in winter.
When to repot
Spring–Summer (Mar–Sep), Autumn (Oct–Nov)
Common problems with Ivory-spined agave
- Left wet in the rainy season or midsummer, the roots or base rot.
- Moved into still indoor air for summer, the lower leaves die off one by one.
- Roots damaged at repotting fail to regrow and the plant declines.
Tips for growing Ivory-spined agave
- A fast-drying, mostly pumice mix and a smallish pot suit it.
- Repot in settled spring or early fall weather, not in midsummer.
- A fan running through summer nights helps prevent rot.
These are AI-generated general guidelines. They vary with the variety, the placement and the pot size. For effects on pets or children, consult a veterinarian or a doctor.
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