• Agave potatorum has sharp spines on the leaf edges.agave image by L??wenzahn from Fotolia.com
  
  Agave potatorum, or butterfly agave, is a native Mexican desert plant. A medium-sized plant, it forms a bluish-gray rosette about 2 feet high and 3 feet wide. There is wide variation in the plants available in nurseries, however, since some plants are started from seed, some from side rosettes that have been removed, and some cloned. Agave potatorum lives about 10 years, then flowers once and dies
  
  

Temperatures

• Agave potatorum requires warmth all year, with a minimum temperature of 50 degrees F. It is winter hardy only in U.S. Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness Zones 9b through 11. It has excellent heat tolerance.
  
  

Light

• Agave potatorum grows best in full sun, although it tolerates light shade in summer. Commercial growers often cultivate small plants in filtered sun. If your agave has been acclimated to lower light conditions, slowly introduce it to full sun to prevent sunscald. When transplanting agave in your garden, keep the plant oriented in the same direction it previously faced. The original south side of the plant is tougher and more heat and sun resistant.
  
  

Watering

• Agave potatorum benefits from some supplemental watering after being transplanted, but allow the soil to dry out between waterings. Once established, this agave only needs light to moderate watering. Too much water can lead to root or crown rot, particularly in heavy soil.
  
  

Soil

• Like all agave, the butterfly agave must have good drainage to thrive. If growing as a container plant, use a potting mixture expressly formulated for cacti. When transplanting, place the plant at the same soil level as it was growing before. Planting it too deeply can lead to crown rot and plant death.
  
  

Fertilizer

• Use a well-balanced fertilizer during the spring and fall growing seasons. Be sure to follow package directions carefully for application rates. Spread the fertilizer evenly over the root zone and water it into the soil. The University of Arizona does not recommend fertilizing newly transplanted specimens.
  
  

Propagation

• You can propagate your Agave potatorum by removing any suckers that form at the base of the plant. Slice the suckers off cleanly and allow to air dry for a few days in a shaded area. Plant them into individual containers in a lightly shaded area until established.
  
  You can also start new plants from seeds collected when your agave blooms; however, it can take up to 10 years for Agave potatorum to bloom. You can also buy seeds.