Scientific Name
Agave murpheyi 'Engard'
Common Name(s)
Variegated Hohokam Agave
Scientific Classification
Family: Asparagaceae
Subfamily: Agavoideae
Genus: Agave
Origin
Agave murpheyi 'Engard' is a variegated cultivar of Agave murpheyi, introduced in 2004 by Huntington Botanical Gardens. This cultivar honors Rodney Engard, the former director of the Desert Botanical Garden, who collected Agave murpheyi bulbils in 1974. These bulbils were later started at the Huntington Botanical Gardens, from which this cultivar was selected as rooted offsets.
Description
Agave murpheyi 'Engard' is an attractive succulent that forms rosettes of pale green to bluish-green leaves edged with broad, yellow stripes. The rosettes can grow up to 3 feet (90 cm) tall and are nearly equal in diameter. The leaves are linear, with a dark brown terminal spine and small teeth widely spaced along the margins, measuring up to 2 feet (60 cm) long and 3.2 inches (8 cm) wide. The leaf variegation is often just strong yellow margins, but occasionally there are multiple yellow stripes in the middle, and sometimes the leaves appear more yellow than green.
The flowers are green with purple tips and appear in dense clusters on a tall, branching spike. Numerous bulbils in the axils accompany them. The rosette will die after flowering.
How to Grow and Care for Agave murpheyi 'Engard'
Hardiness: USDA hardiness zone 9a to 11b: from 20°F (-6.7°C) to 50°F (10°C).
Agave is not a difficult plant to grow. They're slow-growing and dramatic and will even thrive on a bit of neglect. If you're the type of person who likes to fuss with houseplants and water, Agave is probably not the plant for you. However, if you're the type who likes to set it and forget it and you have a sunny window, Agave might be the way to go. However, be aware that some large varieties will eventually outgrow your room (unless you have a large greenhouse), and Agave can be aggressive. They have irritating sap and sometimes very sharp thorns that can injure small children and even pets.
In general, Agaves do not need to be repotted every year. Most species commonly found in cultivation grow slowly and take a long time to outgrow their pot. It's also best to handle your Agave as little as possible since they dislike being disturbed. When you do repot, refresh the spent soil with a new potting mix and make sure the plant is firmly anchored in its pot.
See more at How to Grow and Care for Agave.
Links
- Back to genus Agave
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
Photo Gallery
Click on a photo to see a larger version.
