Plant Care Black-Spined Agave

Black-Spined Agave

Taxonomy

Agave macroacantha
Agave
Asparagaceae
Asparagales

How to care for Black-Spined Agave

💦 Water

How often to water your Black-Spined Agave

Water needs for Black-Spined Agave
0.5 cups
every 12

Black-Spined Agave needs 0.5 cups of water every 12 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.

Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Calculate water needs of Black-Spined Agave

Water 0.5 cups every
12

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

Select the pot size

5"
☀️ Light

Finding light for Black-Spined Agave in your home

Light needs and placement for plant Black-Spined Agave: 1ft from a window
1ft or less from
a window

Black-Spined Agave love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

Black-Spined Agave does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Black-Spined Agave in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Black-Spined Agave

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Black-Spined Agave: repot after 2X growth

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.

By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.

To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Black-Spined Agave after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

Browse #Agave
💡 FAQs
💦 Water Needs

Black-Spined Agave thrives in dry soil and should be watered sparingly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Black-Spined Agave Water Frequency →

Black-Spined Agave Root Rot →


☀️ Sunlight Needs

Black-Spined Agave requires abundant, bright and direct light. Place it less than one foot from a window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.

Black-Spined Agave Light Requirements →

Black-Spined Agave Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →


🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Black-Spined Agave is not safe to consume. If you, a family member, or a pet has ingested any amount of plant material contact Poison Control, US (800) 222-1222, or your veterinarian. If you have children, cats, or dogs in the home, we suggest keeping this plant out of reach.

Black-Spined Agave Toxicity to Cats →

Black-Spined Agave Toxicity to Dogs →

Black-Spined Agave Toxicity to Humans →


💨 Humidity

Black-Spined Agave prefers dry environments. Providing extra humidity or misting your plant allows water to linger on leaves, which can create the perfect environment for harmful types of fungi.

Black-Spined Agave Humidity Needs →


🪴 Soil

Black-Spined Agave is very sensitive to wet soil, so choose a potting soil that drains very well and doesn’t retain too much moisture. A good soil will have lots of perlite or vermiculite for drainage and some organic matter for nutrition. A few handfuls of perlite added to regular store-bought cactus soil will do the trick!

Best Soil Mix for Black-Spined Agave →

When and How to Successfully Repot Black-Spined Agave →


💩 Fertilizer

Black-Spined Agave grows very slowly and doesn’t require added fertilizer. Replacing your plant’s potting soil once a year should provide them with more than enough nutrition. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!

How Much and When to Fertilize Black-Spined Agave →


❄️ Dormancy

It’s common for Black-Spined Agave to go dormant in the wintertime and you may notice their growth slow down. Waterings should be spaced out more during this time.


🌎 Native Region

Black-Spined Agave is native to the Americas.


🌸 Flowers

Black-Spined Agave produces flowers in the wild, but does not flower when kept as houseplants.

Black-Spined Agave Flowers →


🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Black-Spined Agave can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 9a-11b. Find your local hardiness zone here.

Black-Spined Agave Temperature Tolerance →


🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.


😖 Common Issues

Overwatering is a likely cause of issues with Black-Spined Agave. These plants are very sensitive to wet soil so if you notice your plant becoming squishy or translucent, overwatering is the likely culprit.

Cut your plant just past where the rot ends and allow it to callus over for a few days before replanting it in fresh, dry soil. Download Greg to make sure your plant never gets overwatered again!


Care Summary for Black-Spined Agave

Black-Spined Agave

Black-Spined Agave


Greg recommends:

Water

0.5 cups every 12 days

Placement

< 1ft from a window

Nutrients

Repot after 2x growth

Based on the 4” pot your plant is in, and that it doesn’t get direct sunlight.

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