Agave mediopicta alba
Synonyms:
Agave ingens var. picta,
Agave zonata,
Agave variegata,
Agave subzonata,
Agave picta
Habitat:
Agave mediopicta alba is a desert plant native to Southern America, Mexico.
Description:
This smaller growing variery of Agave Americana form an usually solitary rosette, which grows up to 120 cm. The short, lanceolate fleshy leaves are grey-blue variegated, with a greyish/creamy-white central band. Their base is thick. They characteristicly have an undulate lamina, which presents grey-blue spines on the margins, and a long terminal spine. Flower stems are variegated too. The inflorescence is up to 5 m tall. The large flowers are yellow-greenish.
Cultivation:
Slower to grow than other Agave species. It does well from lightly shaded area to full sun. It needs slightly acid, well-drained sandy soil: it is hardy to drought, and it needs occasional to no watering at all. During winter, protect it from freezing.
Propagation:
During spring or summer, remove basal suckers, let them dry for few days and put them in compost.
Curiosity:
Flowers of this monocarpic plant tend to attract hummingbirs, which feed on their nectar.
