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Agave horrida ssp. perotensis (Mexcalmetl) - A small rosette-forming succulent to 16 to 24 inches tall by 3 feet across with many dark green leaves that have large brown spines and leaf margins on new leaves that attractively turn gray-white with age.
Plant in full sun in a well-drained soil and give occasional to very little irrigation - grows faster with some summer watering but tolerates it pretty dry. Hardy to 20°F. This should prove to be a great smaller agave for the garden or as a potted specimen.
Agave horrida ssp. perotensis is endemic to a limited rocky habitat between Perote in the Mexican state of Veracruz and Zacatepec to the southwest in the state of Puebla. The specific epithet is from the Latin word meaning "bristly", "prickly" or rough and is in reference to the large teeth on the leaf margins. Compared to the species, the subspecies perotensis is a slightly larger plant with a denser rosette bearing more leaves that are a darker green leaves and is reputedly hardier. For more information on this species see our listing of Agave horrida. The varietal name is a reference to this plant coming from Perote.
This same plant was once distributed erroneously by the International Succulent Introductions as Agave obscura ISI 2003-10. Agave obscura is a valid species that grows not far to the north of where Agave horrida var. perotensis comes from but is quite different and distinguishable with a more open rosette of lighter green leaves with red teeth. Some believe that the plant described as Agave garciae-mendozae from Hidalgo, Querétaro and San Luis Potosí may be the same taxa - in any case they appear to be quite similar.
The information displayed on this page about Agave horrida ssp. perotensis is based on our research conducted about this plant from books in our nursery library as well as from information that is provided by reliable online resources. We also have included our own observations made about it as it grew in the nursery gardens and other gardens visited, as well how the crops of this plant performed in the containers when we had them in our nursery field. We also include comments received from others and welcome hearing from anyone who has information about this plant, particularly if it includes cultural information aiding others to better grow it.
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