Variegated Succulents: Agaves and Their Relatives

As I surveyed my succulent collection, I realized a large proportion are variegated forms. While variegation in many plants signals genetic weakness or viral infection, in numerous succulents it's practically the norm—and these plants are incredibly hardy, resilient landscape and container specimens. They look fantastic, partly because they're different, but mostly because multiple colors often outshine single-hued counterparts. This article covers common and spectacular variegated succulents in the Agavaceae and related families available in cultivation—not one-of-a-kind oddities, but plants you'll find at most succulent nurseries, plus a few rarer gems.

Why Variegation Occurs

Variegation in succulents is almost always caused by normal genetic variation initially. Once the mutation appears, it's selected for and amplified in cultivation. In the wild, most variegates would likely be eliminated—variegated tissues tend to be "weaker," more prone to insect attack, sun damage, reduced photosynthesis in low light (leading to decline), and fungal/bacterial infection. But in cultivation, protected from evolutionary pressures, many perform beautifully as striking landscape and container plants.

Agave bracteosa—a rare variegated form, and Agave salmiana var. ferox—both excellent landscape or container plants.

Usually variegation results from lack of chlorophyll in leaf sections, creating yellow or white bands, streaks, or mottling. Sometimes it's caused by pigments masking chlorophyll, producing darker colors (purples, reds). Streaking down the leaf center is medio-variegation; variegation along leaf margins is margin-variegation.

Marginal variegation and medio-variegation in two Agave species.

Agaves and related succulents are over-represented in the variegation department, some even showing "natural" variegation in the wild. Most tolerate full, hot sun and weather extremes, making them exceptionally valuable as striking landscape specimens and container plants.

Nearly all Sansevieria are naturally variegated; this S. trifasciata form is so variegated it nearly lacks chlorophyll.

Notable Variegated Agaves

Agave attenuata Variegates

One of my all-time favorite succulents is the variegated Agave attenuata. Amazingly hardy, it takes full sun well (though in super-arid deserts, some afternoon shade helps). Pricey but easy and carefree—worth the cost. Variegation shifts through the seasons. Suckers are often variegated, but non-variegated suckers appear too; remove them promptly or they'll outgrow and overtake the variegated growth. The variegated form is slightly more cold-sensitive than the non-variegated and blue versions (all are cold-wimpy). 'Kara's Stripes' or 'Lime Green' is a smaller, weaker, barely variegated plant with subtle striping—slow-growing, low sun tolerance; grow in shade or morning sun only.

My Agave attenuata variegate showing seasonal changes—never looks the same twice! Great landscape or pot plant.

Agave attenuata albomarginata (white marginal variegation)—photo by thistlesifter; two shots of Agave attenuata 'Kira's Stripes' or 'Lime' showing subtle to almost no variegation.

Agave americana Varieties

Agave americana has several common variegated versions: marginata (yellow marginal stripes) and mediopicta (white central stripes). The former is massive and hardy; the latter smaller, suckering closer to the parent (important if you don't want constant removal). Striated versions have variable streaking and often produce reverted, non-variegated suckers. Agave 'Cornelius' is a fantastic marginal variant with monstrose growth—slow to sucker (if at all), stays small, and fits easily into landscapes.

Two shots of Agave americana variegata showing marginal variegation, and Agave americana mediopicta showing medio-variegation.

Agave americana variegata monstrose (aka Agave 'Cornelius'); two Agave americana variegates (one medio, one marginal); Agave americana 'striata'.

Agave angustifolia

Another common landscape plant, extremely hardy and vigorous—so common I didn't realize a non-variegated version existed until seeing one in a botanical garden. The non-variegated wild form is less ornamental, hence rarely cultivated. To me, this is a "weed Agave"—a garden pest suckering dozens of feet from the parent. Once established in the right soil and climate, it's nearly impossible to eradicate. Plant with caution!

Agave angustifolia

Agave desmettiana Variegata

Another common landscape Agave far more prevalent than its non-variegated form (which I struggled to find). Easy to grow, suckers profusely but mostly from the base, making management easier. Most varieties have minimal marginal teeth (though a nasty terminal spine remains), making pruning relatively safe.

Agave desmettiana variegata

Agave lophantha and Relatives

Agave lophantha is a "naturally" but subtly variegated species with pale green medio-variegation on dark green leaves. Several other agaves share this trait (A. difformis, A. nizandensis, and rarer species). All are vicious—lethal terminal spines and sharp, hooked marginal teeth. A wonderful marginate-variegated form with bright yellow edges exists in cultivation; pricey, less hardy than the normal form, and dislikes full sun (learned the hard way).

Agave lophantha showing typical variegation of normal form, and two shots of a variegated form with marginate variegation alongside the normal medio-variegation.

My Agave difformis showing similar medio-variegation—tends to fade with age.

Agave parryi var. pattonii 'Crème Stripe'

Popular dwarf agaves with striking irregular white marginal variegation. Pricey but easy, strong, full-sun tolerant, staying very small and slow to offset—excellent container plants.

Agave parryi var. pattonii—a dwarf variety.

Agave potatorum 'Kichiokan'

Comes in several variegation degrees; popular show plants as large specimens take years to develop. Subtly variegated with lighter green mediopictate streaks on blue-green leaves; some show white streaking. Highly variable species.

Agave potatorum 'Kichiokan' variegated in show, and my own.

Natural "Overlap" Variegation

Several agaves show natural white variegation where leaves overlap during formation: A. parviflora, A. shidigera, A. toumeyana, A. victoriae-reginae, and A. ferdinand-regis (likely synonymous with victoriae-reginae). These are among the few naturally variegated succulents with such striking patterns—looks almost painted on. A. victoriae-reginae is the most impressive, with wide painted stripes in repeatable non-geometric patterns. It also comes with additional yellow variegation. These seem sun-hardy and grow as fast as normal forms, though hot sun can bleach yellow variegation.

Agave victoriae-reginae—classic example of this variegation type (first photo), but even this plant shows extra variegation (second two photos).

Agave parviflora, Agave toumeyana 'Bella', Agave ferdinand-regis.

Agave filiferas (several varieties) show minimal normal variegation; last photo shows one with extra "true" variegation.

Agave sisalana Variegated

Commonly grown as a medio-variegated plant with excellent sun hardiness. Cold hardiness nearly matches the normal form (neither impressive for agaves—damage in high 20s°F with extended freezes). Grows significantly slower, stays smaller, and offsets much slower (if at all). Nice to prune—no marginal teeth, but watch that deadly terminal spine!

Agave sisalana variegated.

Agave tequiliana 'Tequila Sunrise'

Popular variegated agave with pale yellow marginal variegation; entire leaf is paler than the species. Seems just as sun-hardy, aggressive, and large-growing as the natural form, with profuse suckering. Only for large gardens. Tiny marginal teeth and spines are SHARP and break off in flesh—handle carefully.

Agave tequiliana 'Sunrise'.

Agave 'Joe Hoak'

Very popular in cultivation, price has dropped significantly—now found at garden centers for very little. Reliable, sun-hardy, pale-leaved with irregular marginal variegation. Offsets vigorously (hence price drop). Parentage likely Agave desmetiana; possibly a hybrid created in the Yucatan, originally propagated by Joe Hoak at a Florida nursery.

Agave 'Joe Hoak'.

Related Variegated Genera

Other related plants include variegated Furcraea, Yucca, Cordyline, Dracaena, Beaucarnea, and most cultivated Sansevieria (too many for this article—see my other article on them).

Examples of Sansevieria—one showing "normal" variegation, another with extra "true" variegation.

Variegated Furcraea

Many look so much like agaves they're hard to distinguish. A separate Furcraea article is coming.

Furcraea foetida 'Mediopicta' is the most common and user-friendly. Large, wide, spineless leaves thinner than similar-sized agaves. Often confused with Agave sisalana variegated, but the latter has thicker leaves and a deadly terminal spine. Primarily medio-variegated, but streaking isn't always symmetric. Easy landscape plant but suffers in intense arid sun (variegated parts burn badly—another way to distinguish from A. sisalana). Probably the smallest Furcraea; its spinelessness and beautiful variegation drive its popularity.

Furcraea foetida mediopictas (second photos by Kell).

Furcraea selloa 'Marginata' is NOT user-friendly—sharp terminal spine plus saw-toothed margins. Massive plant, 10'+ diameter, eventually forming a trunk to 10' tall before flowering and dying. Stiff leaves resemble a giant agave until flowering.

Furcraea selloa marginatas.

Variegated Yucca

Most yuccas aren't variegated, but striking varieties exist in cultivation: Y. aloifolia, Y. flaccida, Y. filamentosa, Y. gloriosa, Y. guatemalensis, and Y. recurvifolia. I've grown several—fairly easy, extremely drought-tolerant, though I still rot a few from overhead watering. Most are user-friendly, droopy or soft-leaved with somewhat sharp terminal spines, except Y. aloifolia—that one's dangerous! In my climate, they look far better at the nursery than later (intensely colorful initially, then blanch; color never returns—perhaps they need more shade to maintain color?). As a group, probably the most cold-tolerant variegated agave-like plants, some tolerating snow.

Yucca aloifolia variegated, Yucca elephantipes variegated, Yucca filamentosa 'Bright Edge' (photo by QCHammy).

Yucca filamentosa 'Color Guard', Yucca flaccida 'Garland Gold' (photo by Bert), Yucca gloriosa variegated (mine).

Yucca recurvifolia: 'Margaritaville' and 'Banana Split' (second photo by Kell).

Beaucarnea recurvata Variegata

One of my favorite variegated succulents—beautiful marginal variegation, amazingly sun-tolerant. NOT cold-tolerant; this form seems especially cold-sensitive (mine died in a freeze that defoliated but didn't kill other Beaucarnea). Sadly, it doesn't form the typical swollen base of seed-grown plants (most cultivated plants are cuttings/clones). Still a beautiful, easy addition to any succulent collection.

Beaucarnea recurvata variegata or albomarginata.

Variegated Dracaena

Dracaena (formerly in Agavaceae, now in a related family) is succulent-like. Common variegated species: D. marginata, D. fragrans, D. reflexa. I don't grow many outdoors—they lack drought and cold tolerance, ending up in compost. But they excel as houseplants. In south Florida, coastal Southern California, or Hawaii, they thrive outdoors. D. reflexa 'Variegata' (Song of India) is the most spectacularly variegated but also the most tropical—tough indoors due to low humidity tolerance.

Dracaena marginata tricolor, Dracaena fragrans (Corn Plant), Dracaena fragrans lime green.

Dracaena reflexa (Song of India and Song of Jamaica).

Variegated Cordyline

Closely related to Dracaena (but in Agavaceae), with spectacularly variegated species. Best known are Ti plants (C. fruticosa)—not very succulent-like or drought-tolerant, so I'll cover them elsewhere. Other forms are hardier but still not easy (I've killed all variegated ones I've tried, but I'm a careless waterer).

Cordylines with variegation. First: Cordyline 'Electric Pink'; others: Cordyline australis 'Albertii'.