Quadricolor Century Plant

The Quadricolor Century Plant, scientifically known as Agave desmettiana ‘Variegata’ or often simply Agave desmettiana ‘Quadricolor’, is a breathtakingly beautiful and highly desirable succulent, celebrated for its vibrant, multi-hued foliage. This cultivated variety is derived from Agave desmettiana, which is native to eastern Mexico, where it grows in coastal and dry forest areas, adapted to warm temperatures and well-drained soils. As a monocarpic perennial, the Quadricolor Century Plant has a lifespan that typically ranges from 8 to 15 years (though it can vary) before the main rosette matures, produces a towering flower stalk, and then gradually dies.

Its most striking characteristic is its open, graceful rosette of soft, pliable leaves that display an extraordinary array of colors, living up to its “quadricolor” name. The leaves are typically a bright emerald to apple green in the center, flanked by broad, creamy-yellow to white margins. These margins are often outlined with a thin, reddish-pink to reddish-brown stripe, which intensifies with sun exposure or cooler temperatures. The tips of the leaves usually have a short, soft, dark brown terminal spine. Unlike many agaves, the leaves are relatively soft and spineless along the margins, making them safer for high-traffic areas. This agave typically reaches a manageable size of 2-3 feet tall and wide, forming an elegant, vase-shaped silhouette. It is known to produce numerous offsets (pups) at its base or along the flower stalk, ensuring its continued presence in the garden. When mature, it sends up a tall, arching flower stalk, typically 10-15 feet high, adorned with clusters of yellow flowers. The Quadricolor Century Plant is an excellent choice for containers, xeriscapes, borders, and as a stunning focal point, especially well-suited to the mild winter and hot summer climate of Phoenix, Arizona, where its vibrant year-round color and graceful form are highly appreciated.