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    • Photo of Leuchtenbergia principis form by Karl Gercens III

    Photo by Karl Gercens III

    Used with permission, all rights reserved

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    Leuchtenbergia principis

    Also Known As

    • Leuchtenbergia principis var. principis
    • Agave Cactus
    • Cob Cactus
    • Prism Cactus

    Plant type

    cactus / succulent

    size

    • H: 12"-30"
    • W: 6"-24"

    planting zones

    • 9a-10b

    More Options

    Leuchtenbergia principis plant details

    Leuchtenbergia principis is a slow-growing evergreen cactus / succulent with blue and green foliage. In fall, spring and summer yellow flowers emerge followed by green fruit. Features glaucous texture. Does well in gritty and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something verticillium wilt resistant.

    CHARACTERISTICS OF Leuchtenbergia principis

    Plant type: cactus / succulent
    Plant family: cactaceae
    Foliage: evergreen blue and green
    Mature size: 6 IN - 24 IN - wide, 12 IN - 30 IN - tall
    Flowers: yellow blooms in fall, spring and summer
    Uses: container plant, houseplant, long-blooming, rock garden, spiky, unique, year round interest

    GROWING CONDITIONS for Leuchtenbergia principis

    USDA Zones: 9a - 10b
    Watering frequency: low
    Resistant to: verticillium wilt
    Soil needs: gritty and well-drained

    Nursery contributed plant descriptions

    Lack of water will yellow tubercle tips, too much will make it rot. Full Sun to Light Shade. 3-4" Wide Yellow or Pink Flowers on Tubercle ends. Indoor/ Outdoor. Light/Bright Shade.

    By: Moon - Sun Cactus & Koi Gardens

    Among the many fascinating and unique cacti native to northeast Mexico, one of the most distinctive is Leuchtenbergia principis. Many globular cacti have surfaces composed of little “hills” or tubercles, each with its attendant areole from which the spines and flowers are produced. In Leuchtenbergia this is taken to an extreme, with each tubercle elongated into a “finger” topped by a cluster of long papery spines, whose resemblance to old blades of grass help the plant to remain remarkably hard to spot in nature. Large fragrant yellow flowers arise from the areole at the base of the spines. While some cacti consistently flower at a particular time of year, Leuchtenbergia (like the Bishop’s Cap Cactus, Astrophytum myriostigma) is amongst those that flower intermittently throughout the warm months from spring to autumn. Although occurring over a rather large area of northeastern Mexico, these unusual cacti are sparsely scattered and can be difficult to spot. Leuchtenbergia is a monotypic genus (having only a single species). However, despite its very different appearance it is closely related to Ferocactus, the largest genus of barrel cacti.

    By: The Ruth Bancroft Garden

    Fleshy roots; green stems/reddish tips, papery spines; Chihuahuan Desert

    By: Cactus Jungle

    This classic, monotypic genus - the "Agave Cactus" - is a bit of a challenge for many; too little water and the tips brown...too much and the plant rots! (How's that for a sales pitch!) That said, it's worth the challenge. The large yellow flower (3-4 inch diameter) is produced from the end of the tubercles. It goes by the common moniker of "Agave Cactus" and needs dry conditions during cold, wet weather to avoid rot and adequate water water during the warmer seasons to avoid drying of the tips of the tubercles. A well-grown L principis is well worth the effort required.

    By: Kara Nursery

    Gardening facts about Leuchtenbergia principis plant

    How to Grow Leuchtenbergia principis

    • Water Needs

      • low

    • Soil Needs

      • well-drained
      • gritty

    • Special Situation

      • verticillium wilt resistant

    Features

    • Foliage Color

      • green
      • blue

    • Flower Color

      • yellow

    • Fruit

      • green

    • Flower Season

      • spring
      • summer
      • fall

    • Foliage Season

      • evergreen

    • Texture

      • glaucous

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