McKelvey's Agave (Agave univittata): A Center-Striped, Thorn-Crested Agave

McKelvey's Agave, also called Center Stripe Agave or Thorn-Crested Agave, forms a compact, symmetrical rosette of stiff, dark green leaves with a distinctive, pale yellow to white stripe down the center of each leaf. The margins have prominent, curved teeth and a stout terminal spine. It’s a striking, medium-sized agave (2–3 feet) native to Texas and northeastern Mexico, valued for its bold variegation and cold hardiness.

Taxonomic Profile

Culture

Full sun. Well-drained, gritty soil. Drought-tolerant. Hardy to 10°F (-12°C). The central stripe is stable. Excellent as a specimen in rock gardens or containers. Monocarpic; offsets may form.