With its perfectly symmetrical rosette of broad blue-grey leaves edged with striking cinnamon-brown spines, Agave potatorum is a true architectural masterpiece. Slow-growing and incredibly drought tolerant, this compact agave brings bold desert style to bright windowsills, conservatories, and succulent collections. Its sculptural form makes it just as beautiful as a living piece of art.
Scientific Name
Agave potatorum (butterfly agave)
The genus Agave belongs to the Asparagaceae family, alongside plants such as Yucca and Dracaena. Agave potatorum is one of the smaller agave species, prized for its compact size, broad leaves and beautifully contrasting marginal spines.
Common Name
Butterfly Agave, Verschaffelt’s Agave
Origin
Native to the mountainous regions of southern Mexico, particularly Oaxaca and Puebla, where it grows on rocky slopes and dry grasslands in well-drained soils.
Light
Thrives in bright light and enjoys several hours of direct sun each day. A south- or west-facing windowsill is ideal. Plenty of sunlight helps maintain its compact shape and vibrant leaf colouring.
Water
Allow the compost to dry out completely between waterings before watering thoroughly. Always let excess water drain away and water very sparingly during autumn and winter. Overwatering is the most common cause of problems.
Humidity
Prefers low humidity and dry indoor conditions. Good airflow helps keep the plant healthy.
Soil
Plant in a gritty, free-draining cactus or succulent compost with added grit, pumice or perlite. A pot with drainage holes is essential to prevent waterlogging.
Food
Feed every 4–6 weeks during spring and summer using a diluted cactus or succulent fertiliser. No feeding is required during autumn and winter.
Temp
Prefers temperatures between 15–30°C. Protect from frost and avoid prolonged temperatures below 5°C. Although more cold tolerant than many succulents, it should be kept indoors during UK winters.
Pet-safe
No. Agave species are considered toxic if ingested and the sap may cause skin irritation in both people and pets.
Sprouts Top Tips
Place your agave in the sunniest spot you have for the strongest growth and best leaf colour. Handle with care when repotting, as the sharp spines can be surprisingly prickly. As with most succulents, it’s far better to underwater than overwater.
Extras
Unlike many succulents, Agave potatorum grows as a single rosette for many years before eventually producing offsets around the base. Mature plants flower just once in their lifetime, sending up a spectacular flower spike several metres tall before the main rosette dies—a natural part of the agave’s life cycle.
Did You Know?
The species name potatorum means “of the drinkers” in Latin. This agave has traditionally been used in parts of Mexico to produce mezcal, a distilled spirit made from several different agave species, although Agave potatorum is far less commonly cultivated for this purpose than larger commercial varieties.
