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Products > Agave potatorum 'Kichiokan Marginata'   Agave potatorum 'Kichiokan Marginata' - Dwarf Variegated Butterfly Agave      Habit and Cultural Information Category: Succulent Family: Agavaceae (Agaves) Origin: Mexico (North America) Evergreen: Yes Variegated Foliage: Yes Flower Color: Yellow Bloomtime: Infrequent Synonyms: [A. 'Kichijokan Marginata' A. 'Kissho Kan'] Height: <1 foot Width: 1-2 feet Exposure: Full Sun Drought Tolerant: Yes Deer Tolerant: Yes Irrigation (H2O Info): Low Water Needs Winter Hardiness: 25-30° F May be Poisonous  (More Info): Yes Agave potatorum 'Kichiokan Marginata' (Dwarf Variegated Butterfly Agave) - This is a very small growing agave to 12 inches tall by 12 inches wide with short gray leaves margined with pale yellow streaks and red spines. This selection is thought to be a Japanese cultivar of Agave potatorum and is very slow growing and highly sought after. Grow in bright light to bring out the variegation but not full sun in hot climates as this will burn the variegated parts of the leaves. Mature plants have a hemispherical shape with upcurving leaves with yellow to pale green variegation along the margins and red spines. Little irrigation is required in coastal gardens, but it is best to provide some supplemental irrigation in hotter inland gardens. It is cold hardy to at least 25 degrees. Agave potatorum comes from the semi-arid highlands, in the altitudes between 4,000 and 7,000 feet in Puebla and Oaxaca , and as a result, the species is quite variable in form. This cultivar resembles a diminutive form of the species but some consider it to be a form of Agave parryi - whatever its parentage, it sure is pretty. There has also been considerable debate by succulent enthusiasts and nurserymen over the correct translation and spelling of the cultivar name. We continue to list this plant as we received it, under the name 'Kichiokan Marginata', but we have been told that it should be spelled Kicchiokan and Tony Avent of Plant Delights Nursery has researched this and believes it should be 'Kissho Kan', which he says translates to "lucky crown" or "happy crown".  The description above is based on our research and observations of this plant growing in our nursery and in our own and other Santa Barbara gardens. We would appreciate hearing from anyone who has additional information or disagrees with what we have written.     [MORE INFO]