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Products > Plants - Browse By Region > Agave isthmensis
 
Agave isthmensis - Dwarf Butterfly Agave
   
Image of Agave isthmensis
 
Habit and Cultural Information
Category: Succulent
Family: Agavaceae (now Asparagaceae)
Origin: Mexico (North America)
Evergreen: Yes
Flower Color: Yellow
Bloomtime: Infrequent
Height: <1 foot
Width: <1 foot
Exposure: Full Sun
Irrigation (H2O Info): Low Water Needs
Winter Hardiness: 25-30° F
May be Poisonous  (More Info): Yes
Agave isthmensis (Dwarf Butterfly Agave) - A small, offsetting agave with the individual rosettes reaching to 1 foot tall by an equal width with 4 to 5 inch long by 2 to 3 inch wide powder-gray-blue ovate leaves that narrow towards the base and are at their widest near the tip. The leaves have a slightly gritty (rugose) texture and margins that have shallow rounded lobes with prominent dark reddish-brown teeth and a terminal spine. The flower stalk can reach to 6-7 feet tall with short side branches bearing yellow flowers. Plant in full coastal sun or filtered to part sun inland and irrigate only occasionally. This is not listed as a hardy Agave but we have had plants remain unscathed after nigh time temperatures of 26°F. There are a few forms of this plant that comes from the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, which is located along the southern coast of Oaxaca. The more common form in cultivation has smoother textured leaves and comes from an area near the coast at Salina Cruz but this form comes from a bit more inland to the north of Santo Domingo Tehuantepec northwest of the town of Santiago Laollaga. A great Agave for little nooks in the a coastal succulent garden and also great as a container plant. 

The information about Agave isthmensis displayed on this web page is based on our research conducted in the nursery's horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also include observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments we receive from others and welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share cultural information that would aid others in growing this plant.

 
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