Agave ‘Kissho Kan’ (Butterfly Agave): Growing And Care Guide

Agave ‘Kissho Kan’ has the potential to be great in any setting. It’s gorgeous!

But if you’re worried about keeping it healthy and beautiful for years to come. Don’t worry! We’ve got all the essentials covered right here.

You’ll learn about proper care for your Agave ‘Kissho Kan’ plant, from watering to fertilizing and pruning. Then, we’ll tell you how to keep it strong and healthy so that it can truly thrive in your garden.

About Agave ‘Kissho Kan’

Agave ‘Kissho Kan’ features small, rigid leaves variegated with yellow along the margins, forming a perfectly symmetrical, small rosette (12-15 inches tall). The edges of this Agave’s leaves are lined with sharp spines that start yellow but fade to dark red color with maturity.

The contrast between the red spines and the light blue and yellow color of the leaves is quite striking.

This Agave also makes an excellent container or houseplant. It’s very drought-tolerant and low maintenance.

The Agave ‘Kissho Kan’ is a cultivar of Agave potatorum. It is of Japanese descent, hence the name.

Botanical Name	Agave potatorum ‘Kissho Kan’
Common Name	Agave ‘Kissho Kan’
Family	Asparagaceae
Plant Type	Succulent
Origin	Garden Origin
Maintenance	Low
Height	1-2 feet
Width	1-2 feet
Light	Full sun, Partial shade
Bloom season	Summer
Bloom color	Yellow, Orange
Water needs	Low
Soil	Well-Drained, Loamy, Sandy
Tolerant	Deer, Drought, Salt
Toxicity	Non-toxic
Hardiness (USDA)	9-11

Agave ‘Kissho Kan’ Care

Agave ‘Kissho Kan’ is an excellent choice for growing indoors or outdoors year-round, with few care requirements beyond minimal watering during its growing season (usually spring through fall).

Light

Agave ‘Kissho Kan’ (Butterfly Agave) is a sun-loving plant that can tolerate full sun to partial shade. If planted in harsh sunlight, some shade will prevent the plant from developing sunburn. However, full shade is not recommended.

Soil

When choosing an appropriate soil for your Agave, the most important thing to remember is that it should be well-draining. Agaves do not like soggy soil and will quickly become waterlogged if their roots are left to sit in standing water.

Water

Water your Agave when the soil is dry. This will vary depending on how well drained your soil is.

The best way to determine if it needs watering is to stick a finger in the soil and measure how far down it goes before encountering moisture. If you don’t feel any moisture at all, then it’s time to water.

Water less during winter and more in summer. And, most importantly, do not overwater!

Temperature and Humidity

The Agave ‘Kissho Kan’ (Butterfly Agave) is a hardy plant that can tolerate most climates. It thrives in temperatures between 55 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit and humidity between 40 and 60 percent.

The plant is winter hardy to around -3°C degrees, but frost disfigures the foliage.

Fertilizer

Fertilizing is essential for fast growth, but it’s even more important not to overdo it. Use a balanced fertilizer (10-10-10) at the beginning of the growing season for the best results.

Slow-release fertilizers prevent the plant from experiencing shock due to the sudden influx of nutrients.

Pruning

It’s best to prune your Agave once a year during spring when it’s thriving. Remove dead leaves from the outer rim of the rosette, which can be identified as brown or yellowing leaves that lack luster.

Don’t prune during dormancy (fall/winter) because this is the rest period, and any pruning during this time will only have negative consequences.

Potting and Repotting Agave ‘Kissho Kan’

Agave ‘Kissho Kan’ (Butterfly Agave) is a fast-growing, drought-tolerant succulent that can live for decades. However, as the plant matures, it needs repotting every two to three years.

Repot your Agave during the spring. Remember that newly potted plants may need more water than usual until they become established.

Water properly, and don’t overdo it—keep your new potting mix lightly moist but not soggy or wet to the touch.

Prepare

How to Repot (Step-by-Step)

1. Remove the Agave from its old pot. Use a trowel to loosen around the plant and lift it out of the pot.
2. Prepare a new pot with fresh potting soil, ensuring an open drainage hole at the bottom of your new container before setting your Agave in place.
3. Fill in around your Agave with more potting soil, leaving enough space so you can water without flooding it or drowning it!

Propagating Agave ‘Kissho Kan’ by Suckers

Suckers or offsets are the new growth that develops from the base of the plant. They are easy to propagate, as you can cut them off and plant them in a pot or directly in the ground.

Then, if you want to propagate suckers:

1. Simply cut a healthy sucker off using a sharp knife or shears.
2. Ensure you give your offset some time to callus over when they’re freshly cut.
3. Plant the callused over offset in fresh, well-drained soil.
4. Keep the container in a warm and sunny area with plenty of humidity. Cover with a tarp to increase humidity as needed.
5. They will grow into new plants within a few months.

Blooms

Agave ‘Kissho Kan’ will bloom in the spring with its yellow or orange flowers. However, these blooms are not very showy and somewhat small.

When a plant is blooming, keep an eye on it because it may be more susceptible to pests or disease at this time.

Toxicity

Agave ‘Kissho Kan’ is non-toxic to humans and pets. However, this Agave has sharp spines that can cause injury on contact. Handle with care.

NOTE: This page is not intended as a substitute for veterinary advice. The toxicity of an ingested substance varies depending on the amount ingested, the animal’s weight, and its sensitivity to specific allergens. Contact your veterinarian or local animal poison control center immediately if you think your pet may have ingested a toxic substance.

Common Pests

Be aware that agave snout weevils, scale insects, slugs, and snails are common pests.

The agave weevil larvae feed on the roots of young plants, damaging the root system. Therefore, you may need to pick them off individually before removing the affected parts. Any affected parts are irrecoverable, and you will need to either cut them off entirely or opt for a new plant.

Scale insects can be hard to see, but they will appear as small, brown, or black bumps on the leaves and stems of your agave. If you notice any scale insects on your plant, apply insecticidal soap or neem oil spray.

Slugs and snails like to eat the soft leaves of young plants; protect them by placing some mulch around the base of your agave if it’s outdoors. If your agave is potted, you can remove and repot the affected part. Nematodes are your best bet to be rid of slugs and snails entirely.

Common Problems

All About the Butterfly Agave (Agave ‘Kissho Kan’) (Video)

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