Agave toumeyana var. bella
Family: Asparagaceae, formerly Agavaceae​
Common Names: miniature century plant, Toumey’s century plant, Toumey’s agave
Synonyms: Agave toumeyana subs. bella
Origin: Agave toumeyana var. bella is a naturally occurring variant that is restricted to the Sierra Ancha Mountains in Central Arizona. It inhabits rocky hillsides, mesas, desert chaparral, pine forests, and juniper forests from 2,400 – 5,200 feet in elevation.
Description: The miniature century plant is an evergreen succulent that forms colonies of distinctive, dense rosettes. Each rosette stands up to 10 inches tall and includes 100 to 200 long narrow leaves of approximately equal height, giving a flat-topped appearance tipped with apical spines. At the same time, the dark-green leaves possess white margins that are decorated with curling white thread, resembling tight ringlets. From late spring to early summer, a slender but disproportionately large spike will form, bearing the pale yellow-green flowers on a stalk 4-8 feet in height. Capsule fruits will follow, and then the agave will die, as the miniature century plant is monocarpic and will perish after flowering.
The bella variety differs from the straight species by its miniature form, being much smaller and more compact than the straight species. The inflorescence will also be smaller and more compact, and miniature century plants will possess a denser rosette with denticles in the lower half of the leaf. 
  • Interesting Features:
    • As a result of its compact rosettes, A. toumeyana var. bella specimens resemble A. parviflora, but are two distinct species. A. parviflora possesses stockier, more numerous rounded leaves with a thicker central core, and an even smaller growth habitat than A. toumeyana var. bella.
    • The white filaments on the end of the miniature century plant’s leaves will uncurl when watered, and begin to curl once they have become dry again. 
  • Uses: Although no specific ethnobotanical uses are known for A. toumeyana var. bella, the species is very popular in cultivation and can become a striking centerpiece in xeric gardens. 

Cultivation and Care:
  • Watering: Low
    • A. toumeyana var. bella should be watered well in summer, but allowed to completely dry in between waterings. 
    • In winter, only irrigate enough to prevent the leaves from shriveling. 
  • Soil: The miniature century plant is tolerant of most soil varieties, including sandy, average, and infertile soil of average pH.
    • However, ensure that substrate is well-draining to prevent root rot. 
  • Lighting: Full sun and partial shade are both tolerated, and A. toumeyana var. bella will even survive direct sun and high heat when cultivated outdoors.
  • Propagation: The miniature century plant can be propagated via seed and through offsets or suckers, which appear readily at the base of mature plants.
    • Remove the suckers during spring or summer and allow to fully dry before planting in compost.
  • Cold Tolerance: 10°F, USDA hardiness zones 8a to 10b
  • Special Accommodations: A. toumeyana var. bella is more cold tolerant than the straight species, surviving temperatures down to 10°F if kept dry.
    • At the same time, the species is very heat and drought tolerant, and is not difficult to take care of, permitted that it is not allowed to remain in standing water.

Sources:
  1. Plant Lust
  2. High Country Gardens
  3. Llifle Encyclopedia of Succulents Agave toumeyana var. bella
  4. Llifle Encyclopedia of Succulents Agave parviflora
  5. Plant Desert
  6. San Marcos Growers
  7. Dave’s Garden
  8. Southwest Desert Flora