PlantFiles: Dwarf Variegated Century Plant
Agave americana 'Cornelius'

Most reports of 'Cornelius' say that it rarely produces offsets, however my experience is different. I have three plants, each purchased from a different nursery, and all three have produced several offsets. In addition, reports say that this plant is generally a zone 9 and higher plant. My plants have survived without damage in my moist, humid, zone 8b garden without protection.

The small 18" tall x 2.5' wide rarely-suckering clump of unusually thick, wavy blue-green leaves are highlighted by a 2" wide golden border. This has been seen this listed as Agave americana, but a rare blue reversion looked nothing like A. americana. This plant goes by many invalid names such as 'Quasimodo', 'Incurva Marginata', and 'Marginata Aurea Monstrosa'. It does appear that this plant originated somewhere in the California collector market, but the actual origin is still unclear.

These have the attractive colors, though somewhat brighter, than Agave americana variegata, only these are miniature Agaves (relatively) and only get a maximum of 2' across and only about 12"-18" tall. AND it doesn't seem to offset quickly, if at all (another big plus to me). The leaf margins tend to be somewhat irregular and irregularly spined as well. This is an excellent variegated Agave for smaller areas of the garden.