Being a mountain-dwelling Agave, it is most active during the warmer, rainier months of summer and early autumn. It is highly opportunistic and will grow whenever water and warmth are available. However, it enters a semi-dormancy during the cold, dry winter months of the Mexican highlands. In cultivation, it is more moisture-tolerant than many desert cacti but requires a "dry-ish" winter rest to prevent center-rot. Because of its high-altitude origins, it appreciates a significant drop in temperature at night to trigger its best growth and color.