Agave lophantha (16/01/2016, Kew Gardens, London)
Position: Full sun to partial shade
Flowering period: Summer (After approximately 20 years)
Soil: Moist, well drained
Eventual Height: 40cm (flower spike 4m)
Eventual Spread: 60cm
Hardiness: 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
Family: Asparagaceae
Sub Family: Agavoideae
Agave lophantha is a slow growing, evergreen, rosette forming shrub. Its fleshy dark green leaves have lighter green banding to their centres, are strap shaped with spiny margins, up to 30cm long, 5cm across. Its leaves are arranged in a rosette. Its yellow/ green flowers appear at the top of erect flower spikes. Each plant flowers once, usually after 20 years, after flowering it dies. It produces rhizome like offsets which helps the spread of this plant. Its root system is shallow and fibrous.
Agave lophantha Centre (16/01/2016, Kew Gardens, London)
Agave lophantha, commonly known as the Thorncrest Century Pant, is native to Texas and east Mexico. In its native habitat it grows on gravely limestone on cliffs and rocky outcrops.
The etymological root of the binomial name Agave is derived from Greek mythology being the daughter of Cadmus, who supposedly founded the city of Thebes. Lophantha is derived from the Greek lofh meaning ‘crest’ and anthos meaning ‘flower’.
The landscape architect may find Agave lophantha useful as a dramatic specimen plant suitable for xeriscaping. It also is suitable for planting in pots. Once established this plant is drought tolerant.
Agave lophantha Leaf (16/01/2016, Kew Gardens, London)
Ecologically, Agave lophantha flowers are attractive to nectar loving birds and pollinating insects.
Agave lophantha prefers moist, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil. It will not tolerate wet soils.
Agave lophantha requires little maintenance.
Landscape Architecture
