El Mirador's Gold

Family

Agavaceae

Native

Mexico.

Description

Agave desmettiana 'El Mirador's Gold' is a medium sized upright agave that forms an upright urn-shaped rosette with linear leaves. It grows upto 1 m height. The Thick, fleshy leaves are linear to lanceolate. They are green to bluish green in the middle with a wide, yellow margin on both sides of the leaf.

This cultivar is similar to Agave desmettiana 'Variegata', but the yellow leaf margin is much wider.The width of the yellow margin on one side is about 1/5 to 1/4 of the leaf width. The leaves are glabrous (hairless) with a waxy bloom. Leaves are spineless along the leaf margin, but the tip ends in a sharp, reddish brown prickle.

Agave El miradores will bloom every few years with spectacular 3m spike with golden flowers, often producing many pups that are easily removed and grown.

Environment

Agaves need full sun and gritty soil that percolates easily. They can even do quite well when potted but use an unglazed clay pot that will allow evaporation of excess moisture.

Water needs are moderate to light depending upon the heat of the season but the Cactus should be allowed to dry out before irrigation,

In growing season they benefit from the application of a granulated time release fertilizer that will provide nutrient to the plant.

Landscape Uses

A variety of Agave that has spectacular form for landscaping with its octopus like striped leaves