Actual size and flowering may vary slightly based on season.
Variegated Octopus Agave
Variegated Octopus Agave is the striped form of octopus agave, sold as 'Stained Glass'. Its narrow green leaves carry creamy yellow stripes along the edges and twist back toward the ground like arms. The leaves have no teeth or hard tips, so it is a safer agave near walks, patios and pools. It grows about 3 to 4 feet tall and suits a focal spot or a large pot.
Best for: a focal spot near a patio, walk or pool, a large container, and beds with dappled or afternoon shade.
The leaves have no teeth along the edge and soft tips, so it is a relatively safe agave for walkway areas and poolside beds. Give it room so the arms do not reach into the path.
It grows well in a large container. Use cactus soil and a pot with a drainage hole, and water more often than plants in the ground.
Octopus agaves look best in dappled shade or where they are shaded in the afternoon. Keep it off west walls and out of reflected heat.
Hot afternoon sun and reflected heat can yellow the leaves and burn the tips. Soggy soil causes root rot. It blooms once after several years and then dies, leaving baby plants on the stalk.
- Group planting6-8 ft apart
- Full spread8-12 ft apart
Set it in dry soil at the depth it grew in the pot. Hold off watering for about 1 to 2 weeks in warm weather, or up to a month when it is cool. Then water about every other week while nights stay above 60°F. Light shade cloth for the first few weeks helps it settle.
Water deeply, then let the soil dry before the next soak. About every 2 weeks in summer and every 3 to 4 weeks in spring and fall is plenty. Cut back by October and let winter rain carry it.
It rarely needs any fertilizer. If you do feed, use a light balanced fertilizer in spring or early summer, never on a new plant and never in fall or winter. No pruning is needed beyond removing dead lower leaves.
Too much sun can yellow the leaves and burn the tips. Plant it in dappled shade or where it is shaded in the afternoon, and never against a west wall or in reflected heat.
It is hardy to about 20 to 24°F, and young plants can take freeze damage. On hard freeze nights, drape frost cloth to the ground and remove it in the morning.
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.
What is Variegated Octopus Agave?
It is the striped form of octopus agave, sold as 'Stained Glass'. It has the same shape and care as the plain form, with creamy yellow stripes along the leaf edges.
Is it safe near a pool or walkway?
It is one of the safer agaves for that. The leaves have no teeth and the tips are soft. Plant it where the arms have room so they stay out of the walkway.
How big does it get?
Expect about 3 to 4 feet tall and 3 to 6 feet wide. Give it room for the full spread when you plant.
Does it need shade in Phoenix?
It takes full sun, but octopus agaves look best in dappled shade or with afternoon shade. Keep it off west walls and away from reflected heat.
How often should I water it?
Once rooted, water about every 2 to 4 weeks in summer and every 3 to 5 weeks in spring and fall. Skip winter water if it rains. Let the soil dry between waterings.
How cold can it take?
It is listed as hardy to about 20 to 24°F. Cover it with frost cloth on hard freeze nights and remove the cover in the morning.
Does it make pups?
No. Like the plain octopus agave, it makes no pups. It carries on through small plantlets that grow on its flower stalk.
Does it bloom?
Yes, but only once. Octopus agaves usually bloom in about 7 to 10 years on a tall stalk, then die. Pick the plantlets off the stalk and plant them if you want more.
Can I grow it in a pot?
Yes. Use a large pot with a drainage hole and cactus soil. Water pots more often than plants in the ground, and less in winter.
Can the sap bother my skin?
Yes, it can. Agave sap causes a rash in some people. Wear gloves and long sleeves when you handle cut leaves.
Does it attract pollinators?
Yes. When it finally blooms, night-flying pollinators visit the tall flower stalk.
Variegated Octopus Agave for sale in Arizona, delivered to you
Variegated Octopus Agave, sold as 'Stained Glass', is the cream-striped form of octopus agave. It has the same curling arms, soft tips and care as the plain form. Below is what to expect from it in the Valley, from shade and water to size, cold and blooming.
Sourced from trusted Arizona growers and delivered directly to your door, job site, or property. We deliver across the Valley and to nearby towns, and quote delivery anywhere else in Arizona.
Variegated Octopus Agave vs Octopus Agave
They are the same plant with the same care. The variegated form, 'Stained Glass', adds creamy yellow stripes along the leaf edges. Both have soft, unarmed leaves that curl like arms.
Is Variegated Octopus Agave good by a pool?
Yes. The leaves are unarmed, so it is a relatively safe agave near walkways and pools. Leave room for its spread.
Does Variegated Octopus Agave need shade in Phoenix?
It tolerates full sun, but octopus agaves look best in dappled shade or out of the afternoon sun in the Valley. Avoid west walls and reflected heat.
How far apart do you plant Variegated Octopus Agave?
Plant about 6 to 8 feet apart, center to center. The Spacing tab on this page counts plants for your bed.
How often do you water Variegated Octopus Agave?
Water about every 2 to 4 weeks in summer and every 3 to 5 weeks in spring and fall. No water is needed in winter if it rains. Pots need water more often.
Is Variegated Octopus Agave cold hardy?
It is listed as hardy to about 20 to 24°F. Cover it with frost cloth on hard freeze nights.
We deliver across the Valley, from Phoenix, Scottsdale and Mesa out to San Tan Valley, Maricopa and Casa Grande, and up to Prescott, Sedona, Payson and Globe. See delivery areas and rates.