Agave lophantha Splendida

Agave lophantha 'Splendida', also known as the Bicolour Agave, is a striking succulent plant that forms a compact and symmetrical rosette. Its rigid foliage displays a striking contrast between deep green and a pale yellow central stripe. Well-suited to both dry rockeries and container cultivation, this radiant variety easily finds its place in a dry garden, a gravel bed, or a sunny terrace. Drought-resistant and hardy down to -11°C at its limit, this variety thrives effortlessly in well-drained soil. It can be grown in the ground in mild climates, but also in large pots to be sheltered during winter in all regions.

Agave lophantha 'Splendida' belongs to the Asparagaceae family. The original species is native to the arid regions of Mexico, particularly along the western coast of the Gulf of Mexico. This 'Splendida' cultivar was introduced by nurseryman Ted Stephens of Nurseries Caroliniana. 'Splendida' stands out for its broader leaves and a more pronounced yellow central stripe. This succulent plant forms a compact and symmetrical rosette, typically reaching 50-60 cm in height and 45 cm in width when planted in the ground. In cultivation, dimensions may vary slightly depending on conditions but remain close to these measurements. In pots, the size is often smaller, with rosettes measuring about 20 to 30 cm in diameter. Agave lophantha 'Splendida' has a relatively slow growth rate. The rigid and lanceolate leaves measure approximately 18 cm long and 5 cm wide. They are deep green with a broad creamy-yellow central stripe, more pronounced on the underside. The margins bear reddish teeth, and each leaf ends in a sharp thorn. Flowering is rare and occurs only after several years in the form of a floral spike that can reach up to 3.5 m in height, adorned with yellow-green flowers. After flowering, the rosette dies, but numerous offsets at the base ensure the plant's continuity. The fruits are dry, inedible capsules. The root system is fibrous and shallow, adapted to well-drained soils.
Although Agave lophantha is less known than other agaves for fibre or fermented beverage production, some local communities use its leaves to make ropes due to the strength of their fibres.

Agave lophantha 'Splendida' makes a statement with its structured habit in an arid bed or rockery, where it contrasts beautifully with softer forms. It pairs naturally with the airy inflorescences of Stipa, whose shifting tones soften its rigid lines, and with Eryngium agavifolium, which extends its sculptural appeal without overshadowing it. In a pot on a sunny terrace, it holds its own but gains intensity alongside tall and majestic Yucca rostrata, and Agave parryi neomexicana, whose blue-grey foliage adds a refreshing touch.