Bonte Farm
Agave lophantha 'Quadricolor': Marvelous Multicolor Succulent
Agave lophantha 'Quadricolor': Marvelous Multicolor Succulent
Couldn't load pickup availability
🌈 Agave lophantha 'Quadricolor': A Colorful Kaleidoscope
The Agave lophantha 'Quadricolor' is a highly ornamental and visually striking succulent, prized globally for its exceptional variegation and manageable size.2 This cultivar of Agave lophantha is celebrated for the vibrant, four-color pattern on its rigid, fleshy leaves, which provides year-round color and texture.3 The foliage is generally deep emerald green in the center, flanked by prominent pale yellow to creamy-white margins. When exposed to bright light or cooler temperatures, the margins are lined with sharp, reddish-brown teeth, creating the spectacular 'Quadricolor' effect.
Unlike many other Agave species, this variety tends to be non-threateningly smaller and highly prone to producing numerous offsets or 'pups', quickly forming a dense, colorful clump. Its refined, open rosette structure and low-maintenance requirements make the Four-Color Agave an ideal focal point for containers, rock gardens, and dry, drought-tolerant landscapes.4 It is a must-have for collectors seeking a vibrant, geometric, and reliably colorful succulent.
Botanical Characteristics
|
Characteristic |
Detail |
|
Scientific Name |
Agave lophantha 'Quadricolor' (Cultivar) |
|
Common Names |
Four-Color Agave, Quadricolor Century Plant, Splendid Agave |
|
Growth Habit |
A clumping succulent, readily producing offsets (pups) to form dense colonies; solitary rosettes have an open, angular form. |
|
Foliage |
Rigid, sword-like leaves with striking four-color variegation: dark green center, yellow/white margins, and reddish-brown marginal teeth. |
|
Flowers |
Monocarpic (flowers once then dies): sends up a 10–12 foot tall flower stalk with green-yellow blooms after many years. |
|
Bloom Cycle |
Monocarpic—blooms after 10–15 years, but the plant's prolific offsets ensure continuity in the garden. |
|
Special Features |
Exceptional color contrast and highly desirable variegated foliage. |
Â
Mature Size
Agave lophantha 'Quadricolor' is a relatively small Agave, making it excellent for various landscape and container applications.
- Height: Individual rosettes typically reach 1–1.5 feet (0.3–0.45 meters) tall.
- Spread: Individual rosettes spread 1.5–2 feet (0.45–0.6 meters) wide, forming clumps that can spread much wider.
- Its compact size and clumping nature are perfect for filling spaces and creating dynamic textures.5
USDA Hardiness Zone
This variety is moderately cold-hardy, suitable for USDA Hardiness Zones 9–11.6 It can tolerate short periods of light frost, but needs protection from prolonged freezing temperatures and excessive winter moisture.
Cultivation and Care
|
Aspect |
Care Instructions |
|
Sunlight |
Best color is achieved in bright, full sun or very bright light. Can tolerate some afternoon shade in extremely hot climates. |
|
Soil |
Requires perfectly draining soil; use a gritty, sandy cactus/succulent mix. Poor drainage leads to root rot. |
|
Water |
Drought-tolerant and sensitive to overwatering. Water deeply only when the soil is completely dry, significantly reducing water in winter. |
|
Fertilizer |
Minimal feeding is required. A diluted, balanced fertilizer can be applied once in spring to promote growth and pup production. |
|
Pruning |
Simple removal of old, spent, or damaged lower leaves maintains a clean, architectural look. Easily separate offsets to propagate.7 |
Â
Landscape Use
- Container Plant: Outstanding as a patio specimen where its colorful variegation and form can be appreciated up close.
- Xeriscape: An essential plant for low-water, desert-themed gardens.
- Accent/Focal Point: Use in groupings or as a solo plant to provide a year-round splash of color and dramatic form.
- Rock Gardens: Thrives in the sharp drainage provided by raised beds and rocky slopes.
Wildlife Attraction
Like most Agave species, the main rosettes are deer and rabbit resistant due to their tough, spiny nature.8 The tall bloom spike, which appears rarely, attracts hummingbirds and bats with its sugary nectar.
Pest and Disease Resistance
The Quadricolor Agave is generally robust. The most critical issue to avoid is root rot, which results from standing water or poor drainage. The plant is occasionally susceptible to the Agave Snout Weevil in affected areas. Prevention involves careful watering and, sometimes, preventative systemic insecticides.
Propagation
This clumping Agave is one of the easiest to propagate vegetatively.9 The rosettes produce numerous offsets (pups), which can be easily separated from the mother plant using a clean cut.10 Allow the 'pup' to callous for several days before planting it in dry, gritty soil to ensure the new plant is true to the variegated type. It can also be grown from seed, but the variegation may not be consistent.
Â
Share
