Leuchtenbergia Species, Agave Cactus, Cob Cactus, Prism Cactus

I have had my Leuchtenbergia principis for several years now in a pot with no problems. Now I notice little tiny bugs when I water. Anyon...Read Moree else have a any bug problems with their Leuchtenbergia principis and if so, how did you treat it? It is one of my favorites.

Central Phoenix -- Leuchtenbergia principis grows in the ground in my yard. It is a 20-year old plant that is entwined in the base of a ...Read Morecreosote. It gets only natural precipitation and is in partial shade. It has no winter protection and does not seem to sustain any damage down into the low 20s F. It didn't bloom until it was about 15 years old, but now blooms yearly.

All monotypic (single species) genera are exciting in that they represent plants that are so unique and unusual they cannot be classified...Read More otherwise. Leuchtenbergia is no exception. With its sharply angled and extremely long tubercules tipped with harmless papery spines, it is hard to beleive this is actually a cactus and not some sort of Agave.

It is equally unique when a monotypic genus produces hybrids with another genus that is seemingly unrelated. This plant can apparently hybridize with Ferocactus producing something called a Ferobergia. Now there's an "Odd Couple". Kind of like crossing a pineapple with an artichoke :-)

A true cactus that bears a remarkable resemblance to and agave or aloe,this strange-looking plant is sole representative of its group.Unl...Read Moreike agaves or aloes,the long tubercles are part of the stem,not leaves.