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GENERAL
Origin
:
Mediterranean,
sub-tropical,
tropical
Humidity
:
very arid, semi-
arid
Propagation :
direct sowing,
division
Maintenance :
low
CONDITIONS
Urban climate :
resistant
Dessication :
resistant
Stagnant water :
vulnerable
Irrigation
:
medium
Salinity/ppm :
moderate (2000
ppm)
Hardiness
:
0°C
SHAPE
Type
:
cacti, succulents
Height
:
0.9 m
Spread
:
1.6 m
Foliage
:
evergreen
FLOWER
Colour
:
yellow
Size
:
5 cm
Period
:
March - May
FRUIT
Type of fruit :
capsule
Fruit size
:
7 cm
This Agave is the right choice for locations that are limited in size. It is easier to manage than
its larger relatives. The stiff, lanceolate foliage is armed with terminal spines and features cream-
coloured edges with small serrations Leaves grow to some 50 cm length and about 10 cm width.
Like other species, the Variegated Caribbean Agave may take many years to flower. This event
only occurs once, and the rosette dies back entirely when a flower stalk of some 2.5 metres shoots
up. Single flowers are borne in greenish-yellow and are 5 cm in length. Seedlings usually do
not show any variegation, so that plants are generally propagated by suckers that are grown in
abundance. This agave grows in full sun and, it is drought-resistant. It does best in well-drained
soil with occasional watering, and other soils should be allowed to dry between water applications
but before the plants start to wilt. It is well suited to containers and lasts for years in rootbound
conditions. On the other hand, plants are vulnerable to stagnant water, especially when associated
with low temperatures. Hard frost is not tolerated and immediately results in wilted leaves that
do not recover. Plants are rarely infested by diseases or pests, but in adverse conditions they may
be afflicted by scale. Variegated Caribbean Agaves look highly impressive in pots or containers
and make valuable accent plants in smaller rock gardens or in any situation where greening must
tolerate some neglect. Attractive specimens may be seen in the Diplomatic Quarter.
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Agave angustifolia ‘Marginata’,
Agavaceae
Variegated Caribbean Agave