Variegated Smooth Agave

A medium sized upright agave that forms an upright urn-shaped rosette with 3′ long by 4″ wide leaves terminating in sharp reddish-brown spines. The leaves are bright green with yellow variegation along the margins. It is highly regarded as a landscape plant because of its color, shape, smaller stature, and the fact that the spines are minute or nonexistent along the margins. It is quick growing and often produces many offsets. Plant in full sun. Drought tolerant. Hardy to around 25° F and a little lower for short durations. Prefers well-draining soil but tolerates most types. After blooming the main plant will die but usually leaves behind many new “pups” that form around the base. The flowers on the flower spike also very readily produce “bulbils” which are small plants instead of where there would normally be seed pods. There can be hundreds of these on a spike and they can all be planted as a new plant.