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 a large area in the semi-arid highlands, in altitudes between 4,000 and 7,000 feet in Puebla and Oaxaca, and as a result, the species is quite variable in form. For information on the species see our listing of Agave potatorum.

This selection is thought to be a Japanese cultivar of Agave potatorum and is very highly sought after. This cultivar resembles a diminutive form of this species but unlike the solitary Agave potatorum, this cultivar clusters, leading some to think it a cultivar of Agave parryi or A. isthmensis - 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 in 2005 from Stockton succulent collector Alice Waidhofer, under the name 'Kichiokan Marginata', but we have been told by others that it should perhaps be spelled 'Kicchiokan'. 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" - this name seems to be what has been adopted by most growers of this plant in the US. 

Information displayed on this page about Agave potatorum 'Kichiokan Marginata' is based on our research conducted about this plant in our nursery library as well as from information provided by reliable online resources. We also include our own observations made about it as it has grown in the nursery gardens and other gardens visited, as well how the crops of this plant performed in the containers in our nursery field. We will also include comments received from others and welcome hearing from anyone who has information about this plant, particularly if it includes cultural information aiding others to better grow it.