Agave americana 'Marginata' · Variegated Century Plant

The plant shows a classic Agave growth habit: a basal rosette of thick, succulent, lance-shaped leaves with sharp terminal spines and small marginal teeth along the edges, arching outward and downward under their own weight. The leaves show a strong yellow marginal band with a gray-green center stripe, which is characteristic of Agave americana 'Marginata' (a very commonly cultivated variegated cultivar of Agave americana). The broad, somewhat concave leaf shape, the widely spaced marginal teeth, and the overall rosette size/proportions are consistent with A. americana rather than narrower-leaved species like A. angustifolia or heavily-toothed species like A. salmiana. The brown/tan blotching visible on many leaves appears to be sunburn, fungal leaf-spot, or scarring damage rather than a diagnostic identification feature, but it does affect overall plant health and could obscure some coloration. Similar-looking alternatives to rule out include Agave americana var. americana (non-variegated) and other large variegated agaves such as Agave weberi 'Arizona Star' or Furcraea species, but the leaf width, tooth spacing, and rosette habit best match Agave americana 'Marginata'. A closer photo of a single leaf margin (tooth shape/spacing) and the base of the plant (offsets/pups) would help confirm the exact cultivar with certainty.

Generated 2026-08-27 20:32 by anthropic (claude-sonnet-5).

Light

Full sun to very bright light; needs at least a few hours of direct sun daily to keep its form compact and coloring vivid.

Water

Allow soil to dry out completely between waterings; water deeply but infrequently, roughly every 2-3 weeks, and cut back significantly in winter.

Nutrients

Light feeding with a diluted cactus/succulent fertilizer once or twice during the growing season is sufficient; avoid heavy feeding.

Repotting

Repot only every 3-5 years or when clearly rootbound, as this species dislikes disturbance and grows slowly in containers; use a heavy, stable pot given the plant's eventual size and rosette weight.

Soil media

Cactus/succulent mix with extra grit or pumice for sharp drainage.

Temp & humidity

55-85F; low humidity (under 40%) - this is an arid-climate succulent and does not want misting or humid air.

Temperature range

🌡️ 55-85F

Humidity range

💦 <40%

Care group

🏷️ Bright & Dry

Toxicity

Sap and leaf edges can cause skin irritation, and the sharp terminal spine can cause puncture injuries; handle with gloves and keep away from foot traffic due to spines.

Pests & diseases

Generally trouble-free; watch for agave snout weevil and scale, and root/crown rot if overwatered or kept in poorly draining soil.

Propagation

Divide and pot up basal offsets ('pups') once they have their own roots; this is far more reliable than seed for a conservatory setting.

Generated 2026-08-27 20:33 by anthropic (claude-sonnet-5).