Agave univittata 'Quadricolor'

Agave univittata 'Quadricolor'

Family: Asparagaceae, formerly Agavaceae
Common Name: quadricolor
Origin: Agave univittata ‘Quadricolor’ is a nursery produced cultivar of Agave univittata, and does not exist in the wild. However, the straight species originates from the coastal regions of southern Texas and northeastern Mexico, below 100m in elevation.
Description: A. univittata 'Quadricolor' is a small rosette-forming succulent, solitary or clumping. It possesses distinctively variegated leaves, with a pale green midstripe enwreathed by yellow and dark-green stripes, and red marginal teeth. Under bright sunlight, a fourth color develops, darkening the paler sections to a flush red.

Interesting Features:
- Quadricolor is a cultivar that is unable to produce seed – and as a result, will not flower.
- Additionally, exposure to cold weather or drought may also cause A. univittata ‘Quadricolor’ to redden, adding shades of pink to the cacti’s yellow stripes.
Uses: Commonly, this species is used in cultivation as an accent plant. It is popular in xeriscape, desert, rock, or succulent gardens, and is virtually disease free.

Cultivation and Care:

Watering: Moderate
- Water moderately during the summer, when soil is dry. Presenting agave quadricolor with ample irrigation will allow for faster growth, but succulents should be kept as dry as possible during the winter.
Soil: Provide rich, well-draining soil, supplemented with sand. Maintain a pH between 7 and 7.8 until plants are established – after which more acidic conditions (pH 6.1 to 7.8) can be survived.
Lighting: Quadricolor should be given full sunlight, with partial afternoon shade, especially if grown indoors. Outdoor plants are more tolerant of hot, desert conditions, and thrive under bright light.
Propagation: This cultivar propagates exclusively through basal offsets, which develop readily from mature plants. Remove the pups during spring or summer, and dry before planting in compost.
Cold Tolerance: 10°F, USDA hardiness zones 8a to 10b.
Special Accommodations: Aside from a supplemented fertilizer in summer, A. univittata 'Quadricolor' thrives best when left alone, preferring sparse water and infrequent disturbance.
- Repotting is not required very often, as agave are slow-growing. But if necessary, wear gloves when handling, and do not pot too deep, to avoid stem rot.
- For agave sited outdoors, protect against slugs and snails.

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