Cow's Horn Agave
Agave bovicornuta
A glossy green agave with striking decorative marginal teeth that catch the light like stained glass.
Frost sensitive, hardy to about 25°F, USDA 9-11; a low- to mid-desert agave needing frost protection.
AMWUA Notes
Very drought tolerant rosette succulent needing little supplemental water.
Care Guide
Water deeply every 2-3 weeks in summer while establishing, then only monthly; agaves rot in soggy soil.
Remove dead lower leaves at the base; this agave is monocarpic, so remove the whole plant after it blooms and dies, keeping any offsets.
Not necessary; agaves thrive in lean soil.
Agave snout weevil is the key threat—watch for a collapsing center and apply a preventive soil-insecticide drench in spring.
Frost-tender leaf tips may scorch below 25°F; protect in cold snaps and shield newly moved plants from sudden western sun.
Soil, Feeding & Propagation
Fast-draining decomposed granite or gritty mineral soil; low organic matter
Needs sharp, fast-draining soil.
None — thrives in lean desert soil without fertilizer.
Offsets (pups) taken after the parent blooms
4 ft
Shallow, non-invasive roots; keep the toothed margins and sharp terminal spine away from walkways
Placement Tips
- •Feature as a rosette specimen where the toothed margins will not reach walkways.
- •Keep the sharp terminal spine away from kids and pets.
- •Plant in fast-draining granite.
- •Allow for the 4 ft spread.
Features
Best Uses
Companion Plants
Quick Stats
Design Styles
Include in Your Project
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Use this care guide to maintain your Cow's Horn Agave. Questions about your landscape? Reach out anytime.
Data from 2024 AMWUA “Landscape Plants for the Arizona Desert” guide.
Cow's Horn Agave — common questions
Answers for low-desert Phoenix conditions, drawn from this plant’s growing data.
How much water does Cow's Horn Agave need in Phoenix?
Cow's Horn Agave is a very low-water succulent once established. Water deeply every 2-3 weeks in summer while establishing, then only monthly; agaves rot in soggy soil. Very drought tolerant rosette succulent needing little supplemental water.
How big does Cow's Horn Agave get?
Expect roughly 4 ft tall and 4 ft wide at maturity, with a slow growth rate. Allow about 4 ft of spacing when planting. Shallow, non-invasive roots; keep the toothed margins and sharp terminal spine away from walkways.
Can you plant Cow's Horn Agave near a pool?
Not ideally. Cow's Horn Agave is not rated pool-friendly, so it is better placed away from the pool deck and skimmer. Litter is rated low.
Can Cow's Horn Agave handle Arizona heat and winter frost?
Cow's Horn Agave is hardy in USDA 9-11 and wants partial shade. Frost sensitive, hardy to about 25°F, USDA 9-11; a low- to mid-desert agave needing frost protection. Frost-tender leaf tips may scorch below 25°F; protect in cold snaps and shield newly moved plants from sudden western sun.
Does Cow's Horn Agave have thorns?
Yes — Cow's Horn Agave has small thorns. Site it back from walkways, seating and pool decks where people brush past.
Is Cow's Horn Agave safe around pets?
Cow's Horn Agave is listed as pet-friendly in this guide. If your dog is a determined chewer, check any new plant with your vet before planting.
When does Cow's Horn Agave bloom in Arizona?
Cow's Horn Agave blooms in late winter-spring, with yellow flowers.
How much maintenance does Cow's Horn Agave need?
Cow's Horn Agave is low-maintenance. Leaf, flower and pod litter is rated low. Remove dead lower leaves at the base; this agave is monocarpic, so remove the whole plant after it blooms and dies, keeping any offsets.
What kind of soil does Cow's Horn Agave need?
Fast-draining decomposed granite or gritty mineral soil; low organic matter. It needs no supplemental feeding. Not necessary; agaves thrive in lean soil.
Is Cow's Horn Agave native to Arizona?
No. Cow's Horn Agave is not an Arizona native; it originates from the Northern Mexico mountains, but it is grown successfully in low-desert landscapes here.