Leuchtenbergia principis
Agave cactus, Cob cactus, Prism cactus
- Height × spread
- 0.35m × 0.5m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Heated greenhouse 5C & above (RHS H1c)
- Flowers
- Summer
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This is a curiosity, the only member in its family. In this form the plant grows long leaf-like structures, triangular in cross profile, with a long slender spine at the tip. The structure can be as much as 12cm in length and the papery-looking spine can add another 15cm to this. The plant itself is unlikely to be more than 35cm in height, a modest structure when stripped of its cladding! It produces showy brilliant yellow flowers that are fragrant and which can last for up to 6 days. Found growing in areas with limestone in, among other places, the Chihuahuan desert.
- Flower colour
- Yellow
- Foliage colour
- Beige, Green, White
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- Yes, fragrant
- Shape
- Bell
- Height
- 0.35m
- Spread
- 0.5m
- Height in 10 years
- 0.2m
- Spread in 10 years
- 0.3m
- Season of interest
- Summer
- Flowers in
- Summer
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Indoors
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- Alkaline, Neutral
- Drainage
- Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Heated greenhouse 5C & above (RHS H1c)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Indoor light
- full light at all times
- Indoor temperature
- 10C minimum temperature
- Hazards
- Yes, leaves are prickly
AutumnNow
Autumn-Winter · Indoors
Keep dry during dormancy
Keep dry during the period of dormancy or resting, which is likely to be from the middle of the autumn until spring.
Spring
Spring-Summer · Indoors
Feed with cactus feed
Use specialist cactus feed and apply monthly from April to August, using the quantity advised on the label.
Spring-Autumn · Indoors
Water regularly during growth
Water regularly while in growth.
Adopt a regime that means the plants are thoroughly watered every week so that they do not become dessicated. In hot weather watering may need to be more frequent, but less often in cool or moist conditions.
Planting & general
Indoor temperature · Planting
10C minimum temperature
This plant requires a minimum temperature of 10 Centigrade.
Compost · Planting
Cactus compost for repotting
Use standard cactus compost. Top the soil with grit or granite chips to ensure perfect drainage around plant stem. Repot when the plant is dry and delay watering for 3 days after repotting.
You can also make own compost using 3 parts John Innes no. 2, 1 part horticultural grit, and 1 part horticultural grade perlite or pumice. There are many 'recipes' available and opinions vary widely - consult specialist literature or websites.
Indoor plant · Planting
Position in a sunny spot, eg windowsill
Give this plant a position where there is as much light and sunlight as possible. It is suitable for sunny windowsills as it can cope with high day temperatures and lower night temperatures.