Variegated Tropical Agave. Agave desmettiana 'Variegata', Agave Family ( Agaveae or Agavaceae ), Variegated Tropical Agave. Also known as: Variegated Smooth Agave, Smooth Agave, Dwarf Century Plant. We wish to thank Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia for some of the information on this page. We share images and information with Wikipedia. Agave desmettiana 'Variegata' (Variegated Tropical Agave) is a medium sized upright agave that forms an upright urn shaped rosette with 3 foot long by 4 inch wide leaves terminating in sharp reddish-brown spines. The leaves are bright green with yellow variegation along the margins. Its spines are minute or nonexistent along the margins.Its pointed leaves form a basal rosette. It is quick growing and often produces many offsets. Hardy to 20-25 degrees F. Agave desmettiana 'Variegata' blooms only once, and then dies. However, blooming doesn't occur for about 8 - 10 years, and the plant produces an abundance of small "pups" around it's base which keeps the population going. Quick Notes: Height: 3 feet tall. It spreads to about 3 feet. Flowers: A large thick, green, stalk emerges from the center of the plant, it becomes about 8 - 10 feet tall. Then pale yellow flowers about 1 1/2 inches long emerge in clusters on horizontal branches on an 8 to 10 feet tall panicle. Flowering Time: Phoenix Arizona, Mid March - June. Leaves: The leaves symmetrical, a basal rosette, light green in color, and have they no teeth along the margins. Found: Native of Cuba, and Sinaloa (Mexico). Hardiness: USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 �C (25 �F) USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 �C (30 �F) USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 �C (35 �F) USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 �C (40 �F) Soil pH requirements: 6.6 to 7.5 (neutral) 7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline) 7.9 to 8.5 (alkaline) Sun Exposure: Sun to Partial Shade Partial to Full Shade Elevation: 0 - 2,500 feet. In Arizona. Habitat: It grows well in sand, sandy loam, clay and other heavy soils. It needs good drainage and aeration. A Xeriscape Landscape plant. Miscellaneous: Maintenance: Low. Photos Taken March 3, 2008 Phoenix Desert Nursery.