Accession Count: 1
Common Name:
quadricolor century plant
Family Name:
Asparagaceae
Botanical Name:
Agave lophantha
Sub Species:
Variety:
Forma:
Cultivar:
'Quadricolor'
Characteristics:
Agave lophantha 'Quadricolor' is a succulent, evergreen, slow-growing perennial plant that reaches 30-45 cm (12-18 inches) tall and 60 cm (2 feet) wide (1, 2). It is a rosette-forming plant which produces offsets, called “pups” that grow around the base and which will continue to grow after the parent plant dies (2). Leaves are 15-30 cm (6 to 12 inches) long, dark green with yellow edges and a pale green stripe down the middle (1, 2). Leaf margins have dark red teeth along both sides (2). After several years, it will produce green-yellow flower blooms on a 4 m (12 foot) tall stalk (1, 2). After blooming, the rosette will begin to die. Fruits are dry, brown capsules.
Compound:
Geographic Origin:
Ecozone Origin:
Biome Origin:
Natural History:
This agave species is native to the southwestern United States and Mexico.
Cultivation Notes:
This plant is adapted to very hot weather and is also very hardy, with reports of it being able to tolerate temperatures as low as -11°C (11°F). (1). It prefers direct sunlight, but will tolerate bright filtered light or partial shade as well (1, 2). It tolerates dry conditions in the summer but will grow much faster with regular summer irrigation (1). In the winter, water less frequently to avoid root rot due to overwatering (1, 2). Use of well-draining soil such as a sandy cactus mix will also reduce risk of root rot (2).
Ethnobotany:
This plant can be used in landscapes or grown in containers as an accent or focal point of a desert garden (3). It can also be used in large groups as a barrier due to the sharp leaf spines, which should not be placed near pet or pedestrian traffic (2).
Height:
0 - 5 feet
Width:
0 - 5 feet
Growth Rate:
Slow Growing
Grow Season:
Summer
Flower Season:
Color:
Yellow
Function:
Accent
Spread:
Non-spreading
Allergen:
Non-allergenic
Invasive:
Benign
Toxicity:
Benign
Hardy:
Hardy
Water Use:
Low water Use
