Plant Library

Other Names:  Narrowleaf Agave, Century Plant

Description:

An appealing variety producing a dense rosette of narrow, slightly cupped gray-green foliage with cream margins; generally smaller when grown in containers; infrequent flower spikes soar upward after at least ten years; a great accent plant

Ornamental Features

Variegated Caribbean Agave features bold spikes of chartreuse cup-shaped flowers rising above the foliage in mid summer. It has green foliage edged in creamy white. The succulent pointy leaves remain green throughout the winter.

Landscape Attributes

Variegated Caribbean Agave is a multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with a more or less rounded form. Its strikingly bold and coarse texture can be very effective in a balanced landscape composition.

This shrub will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and usually looks its best without pruning, although it will tolerate pruning. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

• Suckering
• Spiny

Variegated Caribbean Agave is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Rock/Alpine Gardens
• General Garden Use

Planting & Growing

Variegated Caribbean Agave will grow to be about 4 feet tall at maturity extending to 10 feet tall with the flowers, with a spread of 4 feet. It tends to fill out right to the ground and therefore doesn't necessarily require facer plants in front. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years.

This shrub should only be grown in full sunlight. It prefers dry to average moisture levels with very well-drained soil, and will often die in standing water. It is considered to be drought-tolerant, and thus makes an ideal choice for xeriscaping or the moisture-conserving landscape. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in poor soils. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America. It can be propagated by multiplication of the underground bulbs; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.