Actual size and flowering may vary slightly based on season.
Variegated Furcraea
Variegated Furcraea, the variegated Mauritius hemp, forms a large rosette of wavy, sword-shaped green leaves with a wide creamy band down the center. Unlike an agave, the leaves have no spines, so it is easy to place near paths. It grows about 5 to 8 feet tall and wide and needs little water. In the Valley it does best with shade from the afternoon sun.
Best for: a spineless focal rosette near paths and patios, and shaded accents with morning sun.
The wavy, sword-shaped leaves have no spines, so it can go near paths and patios where an agave would be a hazard. It gives the same bold rosette look without the risk.
Each green leaf carries a wide creamy band down the middle. The rosette grows about 5 to 8 feet tall and wide.
In Phoenix it needs protection from the afternoon sun. Morning sun with shade later in the day suits it.
Harsh afternoon sun and frost can both damage the leaves. After many years it sends up a tall flower stalk, and the main rosette then dies.
- Plant to plant8 ft apart
Water infrequently and let the soil dry out between waterings. Soggy soil can cause rot.
In Phoenix it needs protection from the afternoon sun. Harsh sun can burn the cream-striped leaves.
It is rated to about 25°F. Cover it with frost cloth on colder nights, and take the cover off in the morning.
When the rosette finally blooms, it dies and leaves small plantlets on the stalk. Pot them up to start new plants.
Drainage test first. Dig the hole and fill it with water. If water is still sitting in the hole a day later, you likely hit caliche, clay or hard soil, so fix the drainage before planting. If it drains very fast, the soil is sandy. Standing water around roots is a common reason new plants fail.
Weed cloth. Cut it away from the planting hole and where the roots will spread. Remove any plastic sheeting completely, since it keeps water and air out of the soil.
Rock or decomposed granite with no soil underneath. Bring in soil close in texture to your native soil, mix it with the soil below, and build up enough depth for roots before planting.
If you can break through. Use a breaker bar, pick, or jackhammer. Dig through the caliche and break out the solid chunks. Backfill with the soil you dug out, with no compost or manure in the hole. Confirm drainage before planting.
If you cannot break through. Dig narrow holes through the hard layer beside the root ball, not under it, and refill them with the same soil, not gravel. If it still will not drain, plant on a low mound of the same soil.
Root ball. Check the outside edges for any roots circling around. Loosen or cut those so they grow outward. Do not break up the center of the root ball.
Depth. The top of the root ball should sit at or just slightly above the surrounding soil level. Planting too deep can lead to rot and kill the plant.
Drip emitters. At planting, put the emitters on the root ball, on different sides of the plant. After about 2 months, move them to the outer edge of the root ball. Over the first year, add emitters farther out toward the edge of the branches as roots grow. Once a plant is rooted, never water only at the trunk.
Does variegated furcraea have spines?
No. The leaves are wavy and sword-shaped but not sharp, unlike most agaves, so it is safe to plant near paths.
How big does it get?
It grows about 5 to 8 feet tall and 6 to 8 feet wide. Give it that much room from walls and walks.
Does it need shade in Phoenix?
Yes. Protect it from the afternoon sun and give it morning sun.
How often should I water it?
Water it infrequently and let the soil dry between waterings. Too much water can cause rot.
Is it cold hardy?
It is rated to about 25°F. Cover it with frost cloth on colder nights.
Does it bloom?
It blooms rarely, and only after many years. Then it sends up a flower stalk up to about 25 feet tall with strongly scented flowers, so enjoy the show when it comes.
What happens after it blooms?
The main rosette dies after blooming, and small plantlets form on the flower stalk. You can pot them up to start new plants.
Is it an agave?
It is a close relative in the same family, but its leaves have no spines. That is the easiest way to tell the two apart.
Variegated Furcraea for sale in Arizona, delivered to you
Variegated Furcraea is a big, spineless rosette with cream-striped leaves. It needs afternoon shade in Phoenix. Below are the questions Valley homeowners ask.
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Variegated furcraea in Phoenix
Variegated furcraea needs protection from the afternoon sun in Phoenix. Morning sun keeps its cream stripes bright.
Spineless agave look-alike
Its wavy leaves have no spines, so it works near paths where an agave would be a hazard.
How big variegated furcraea gets
It grows about 5 to 8 feet tall and 6 to 8 feet wide.
Watering furcraea
Water infrequently and let the soil dry between waterings. Too much water causes rot.
Furcraea blooms once then dies
After many years it sends up a tall, fragrant flower stalk. The main rosette dies and leaves plantlets behind.
Frost care for furcraea
It is rated to about 25°F. Cover it on colder nights.
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