Scientific Name
Agave desmetiana 'Variegata'
Synonym(s)
Agave desmetiana 'Golden Moments', Agave desmetiana 'El Miradores Gold', Agave desmetiana 'Marginata'
Scientific Classification
Family: Asparagaceae
Subfamily: Agavoideae
Genus: Agave
Origin
Agave desmetiana 'Variegata' is a cultivar of Agave desmetiana with variegated foliage.
Description
Agave desmetiana 'Variegata', distributed in Australia as Agave desmetiana 'El Miradores Gold', is an attractive succulent that forms urn-shaped rosettes of bright green leaves with yellow variegation along the margins. The rosettes grow up to 4 feet (1.2 m) in diameter. Leaves are fleshy, rigid, and usually recurved, with smooth margins, and terminate in a sharp reddish-brown spine. They are up to 3 feet (90 cm) long and 4 inches (10 cm) wide.
The pale yellow flowers appear in terminal clusters on side branches at the top of a striking, up to 10 feet (3 m) tall stalk that rises from the center of the rosette, usually from spring to early summer. The rosette dies after flowering but produces many offsets at the base and bulbils on the flower stalk.
A similar plant is distributed in Australia as Agave desmetiana 'Golden Moments'.
How to Grow and Care for Agave desmetiana 'Variegata'
Light: Like all Agaves, this plant requires full sun to partial shade. If growing A. desmetiana 'Variegata' indoors, choose a bright, sunny window with as much sun as possible. From spring to fall, it loves going outside.
Soil: A. desmetiana 'Variegata' will tolerate most soils as long as they have good drainage, but its preference is sandy or rocky soil.
Temperature: During the growing season, it likes warm temperatures, while in winter, when resting, this succulent enjoys cooler temperatures. A. desmetiana 'Variegata' can withstand temperatures as low as 20 °F (-6.7 °C). USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 9a to 11b, 20 to 50 °F (-6.7 to 10 °C).
Watering: From spring to fall, water thoroughly when the soil becomes dry. In winter, water sparingly about once a month. Plants in containers require more frequent watering than those in the ground.
Fertilizing: Give your A. desmetiana 'Variegata' a small amount of fertilizer in the spring during the first two years. After that, established plants seem to take care of themselves.
Repotting: If you notice your A. desmetiana 'Variegata' becoming pot-bound, repot it with fresh soil in a new pot slightly larger than the old one. Give the plant a week or so to readjust before you water it again.
Propagation: This succulent is propagated by offsets or bulbils. The best time to remove the offsets is in spring and summer.
Learn more at How to Grow and Care for Agave.
Toxicity of Agave desmetiana 'Variegata'
A. desmetiana 'Variegata' is not toxic to humans, but it may be mildly poisonous to children and pets.
Links
- Back to genus Agave
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
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