Cowhorn Agave Plant Care
Agave bovicornuta Gentry
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Agave bovicornuta Gentry, is a plant in the genus Agave, native to mountainous regions in the Mexican states of Chihuahua, Sonora and Sinaloa. The common name Cowhorn Agave and the specific epithet refer to the prominent red spines along the edges of the leaves.
Every 14–21 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–85°F
10–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Cowhorn Agave?
Water Cowhorn Agave every 14–21 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–85°F (10–29°C) and 10–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 8 months during the growing season. It is reported as toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of pets.
Where Is the Cowhorn Agave Native To?
What Is the Cowhorn Agave?
Cowhorn Agave (Agave bovicornuta) belongs to the Asparagaceae family within the Agave genus. Cowhorn Agave is native to mountainous regions in the Mexican states of Chihuahua, Sonora and Sinaloa.
Cowhorn Agave displays a rosette-forming succulent growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 8 ft. Cowhorn Agave produces tall spikes with yellow, green, or white flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 36 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Cowhorn Agave?
Agave bovicornuta requires watering every 14–21 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 14–21 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Cowhorn Agave Need?
Cowhorn Agave thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Cowhorn Agave Prefer?
Agave bovicornuta grows best at temperatures of 50–85°F. Cowhorn Agave prefers humidity levels of 10–60%.
Temperature
50–85°F
Humidity
10–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Cowhorn Agave?
Sandy, well-draining soil mix with added perlite and gravel. Good drainage is essential for Cowhorn Agave to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Cowhorn Agave?
Feed Cowhorn Agave every 8 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 8 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Cowhorn Agave?
Repot every 2-3 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Cowhorn Agave?
Cowhorn Agave can be propagated through pups, offsets, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to century plant plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Cowhorn Agave Toxic to Pets and Children?
Toxic (caution)
Reported as toxic in our plant data. Not verified by the ASPCA.
Mildly toxic to humans and pets, can cause skin irritation
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Cowhorn Agave?
Cowhorn Agave is susceptible to agave snout weevil, agave mite, scale insects. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Cowhorn Agave Need?
Cowhorn Agave grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Cowhorn Agave is native to mountainous regions in the Mexican states of Chihuahua, Sonora and Sinaloa. In cooler regions, grow Cowhorn Agave as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Cowhorn Agave is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Agave genus — compare its care with other Agave species on PlantoScan.
Agave is part of the Asparagaceae plant family — browse all Asparagaceae genera and species.
Cowhorn Agave thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Agave Species
Other Agave species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Agave bovicornuta Gentry, family Asparagaceae (first published in Publ. Carnegie Inst. Wash. 527: 92 (1942)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Cowhorn Agave is reported as toxic to pets in our plant data (not verified by the ASPCA), so treat it with caution. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 12a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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