Introducing the Agave americana 'Variegata or Agave americana 'Marginata', a stunning variety of Agave americana. Agave Americana is commonly referred to as a century plant because it was once believed that it took 100 years for the plant to bloom. However, this is a common misconception.  

The century plant blooms light-green yellow flowers once in its lifetime after it has reached maturity. This can take anywhere from 10 to 30 years, depending on light, temperature, and humidity. Being monocarpic, the mother plant dies after blooming.  

The twisted, silvery-green leaves of this variegated century plant form a large rosette, and the leaf margins have bright yellow stripes that resemble a striped ribbon. Its stiff, rosette-shaped, sword-like leaves grow upright, and the mature plant can reach the height of 6 feet and 10 feet wide. Each leaf has a pointed, spiny tip and is armed with tiny brown hooks. This variegated type will grow a bit smaller than other Agaves Americans but still is bigger than the one with white stripes (non-variegated).  

Native to Mexico, there are numerous variegated forms of Agave americana, each with distinctive names and leaf types. This stunning variegated century plant is sure to stand out in any garden, adding a touch of exotic beauty to your outdoor oasis. 

This Century plant is incredibly low-maintenance, requiring low water and very little attention from you. Whether you're an experienced gardener or just starting out, this plant is perfect for anyone who wants a gorgeous addition to their collection without all the fuss. 

Watering Needs 

This variegated century plant, like other succulents, is drought-tolerant by nature, and their fleshy, water-storing leaves can hold a lot of water.  However, their root structure is easily susceptible to overwatering so make sure that you don't overwater, as it can lead to root rot and fungal infections. 

When this variegated Americana agave is dormant in the winter, reduce watering to once every 4-6 weeks, soaking it completely.  During the growing season in summer, water the agave century plant once every 2-3 weeks. 

In spite of the right watering frequency, succulent roots can be damaged if the soil is not fast-draining.  Allow the pot and soil to dry out thoroughly between waterings. 

Light Requirements 

This century plants thrive best in bright, sunny environments. It cannot tolerate full shade or low light. The variegated agave americana should be planted in full sun outdoors. 

To ensure that your succulent thrives, provide it with 8-10 hours of direct light and a minimum of 5-6 hours of survivable bright light; the variegation of creamy yellow margins will be more pronounced in brighter light.  

When grown indoors, place it in the sunniest place in your house. This agave century plant may benefit from shade in consistently hot climates. It is ideal to grow this succulent in a west- or south-facing window. 

Optimal Soil & Fertilizer Needs 

Are you ready to take your Americana Variegata game to the next level?  When it comes to choosing the right soil and fertilizers for your adorable agave plants, you need to be extra cautious and need to use the right kind of sandy soil.  Moisture can be a real killer, leading to root and stem rot in no time flat. But fear not, my fellow green thumbs! Planet Desert has got your back with our specialized succulent potting mix that includes organic mycorrhizae – perfect for promoting healthy roots and happy plants. 

When it comes to fertilizing your variegated agave americana, it only needs a small amount of fertilizer applied once a year in spring. Century plants prefer a fertilizer with lower doses of NPK, with a maximum ratio of 5-10-5 that is higher in phosphorus than nitrogen. 

Hardiness Zones & More 

This century plant can tolerate mild frost but does best in sunny, warm climates. They are not entirely cold-hardy, though.  Generally, these can be grown in the garden in USDA zone 8 -11, and they can tolerate temperatures down to 20 F, but they may suffer damage if exposed to prolonged periods of freezing temperatures. 

So, if you live in an area with cold winters, it's best to protect these century plants by covering them with a frost cloth or moving it indoors during the coldest months. 

This Agave americana 'Variegata' century plant is quite a hardy plant that is suitable for beginners to grow in the garden and as houseplants. Their growth rate is slow, and they tend to last for many years. 

Bloom Season	Mayjune
Bloom Season	Summer
Botanical Name	Agave americana
Botanical Name	Agave americana 'Marginata'
Common Name	American century plant
Common Name	Variegated Century Plant
Dormancy	Winter
Family	Asparagaceae
Flower Color	Green-yellow
Flower Color	Yellow
Genus	Agave
Growth Habit	Rosette
Growth Rate	Slow
Hardiness Zone	8, 9, 10, 11
Mature Size	2m
Mature Size	6 ft. tall, 10 ft. wide
Native Area	Mexico
Plant Type	Perennial succulent
Propagation	By offsets, cuttings
Resistance	Drought tolerant, pest resistant, mild frost tolerant
Resistance	10° to 50° f
Soil PH	6.5, Acidic, Neutral
Soil Type	specialized succulent potting mix
Special Features	Sword-like leaves
Sun Exposure	Full sun, partial shade
Toxicity	Toxic for humans, toxic for pets (Keeps away from Children)
Watering Needs	Low