Agave americana ‘Mediopicta Alba’

Cultivated origin of Agave americana ‘Mediopicta Alba’

Agave americana ‘Mediopicta Alba’ is an old white-centred horticultural form of Agave americana. White-centred forms were established in European horticulture by the early twentieth century, and the medio-picta name was in use by 1914.

Agave americana has a long history of cultivation and movement by people around Mexico and other warm regions. Many established populations occur around settlements, fields and other human-managed landscapes.

Growing Agave americana ‘Mediopicta Alba’

• Space and repotting: This becomes a large, wide plant. Increase pot size when roots fill the container. Use a broad, heavy pot for stability and leave generous room around the toothed leaves.
• Light: Give it full, bright light, including direct sun. Pale leaf centres can mark after a sudden jump in light, so introduce stronger sun gradually if the plant has been growing in softer light.
• Water: In a large container, wait until the potting mix is dry throughout, then water thoroughly. Check below the surface because the deeper mix can stay damp for much longer.
• Potting mix: Use a gritty, fast-draining succulent mix with pumice, lava or grit and a small organic fraction.
• Temperature and airflow: Use 10–30 °C as the normal growing range and protect it from extended periods below 1 °C. Protect a potted plant from prolonged hard frost and keep the mix drier during cool conditions. Normal indoor humidity is suitable; leave space around the broad rosette so the leaf bases dry after watering.
• Feeding: Feed lightly with a low-nitrogen fertiliser while the plant is making new leaves.
• Propagation: Separate rooted variegated pups to continue the white-centred form.

Health issues in Agave americana ‘Mediopicta Alba’

• Brown marks develop through the cream centre: Pale tissue can scar after intense sun, hot glass, cold contact or rubbing. Move the plant away from heat, cold or repeated contact. If stronger sun caused the marks, move the plant out of the strongest sun and reintroduce direct sun gradually.
• Lower leaves soften or the large rosette becomes loose: The roots or crown may be rotting in a pot that has stayed wet. Check the deeper mix, cut rotten roots and soft tissue back to firm, healthy tissue with a clean tool, discard the rotten material and repot in fresh, fast-draining mix.
• New leaves become narrow and widely spaced: The plant needs more light. Move it to a brighter position so later leaves emerge broader and closer together.
• White cottony patches, sticky residue or brown shields: Mealybugs and scale can settle along the leaves and bases. Isolate the plant, remove visible pests and use a product labelled for the identified pest, following the stated repeat interval.

Agave americana ‘Mediopicta Alba’ is toxic to people and pets

• Keep this plant away from children, cats and dogs, and handle the sharp leaves carefully.
• Its sap and tissues contain irritating saponins and oxalates. Rigid leaf tips and toothed margins can also scratch or puncture skin, eyes, mouths or paws.
• Exposure may cause mouth pain, drooling, vomiting, skin irritation or puncture wounds. Contact a veterinarian or medical professional if symptoms or an injury develop.

What does Agave americana mean, and who first published it?

Agave comes from the Greek agauos, meaning noble, illustrious or admirable. The epithet americana means American.

Carl Linnaeus established the genus Agave in 1753 in Species Plantarum, page 323.

Carl Linnaeus first described Agave americana in 1753 in Species Plantarum, page 323.