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Furcraea foetida 'Mediopicta' - A close relative to the Agave, this usually trunkless succulent can reach a size of 6 or more feet tall with an 8 to 10 foot spread with green 4- to 6-foot-long wavy sword-shaped leaves that lack any spines. A decorative creamy band occurs down the middle of the leaf. The flower stalk reaching to 25 feet tall produces strongly scented greenish-white flowers attractive to bees. Flowers are followed by small plants that cover the inflorescence as the basal plant dies.
It performs best in full coastal sun or filtered light and watered infrequently. Some sources list this plant as hardy to USDA zone 9a (20-25° F) but we believe it would require protection in zones lower than 9b (20-25° F). The somewhat similar looking Furcraea selloa var marginata is slightly hardier.
We have long grown this plant from bulbils removed from plants flowering in the landscape. We thank Joe Stead at Orange Coast College for our last batch of these bulbils that he supplied after the plant flowered there in 2022.
This information about Furcraea foetida 'Mediopicta' displayed is based on research conducted in our horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also will relate observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments that we receive from others and we welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share any cultural information that would aid others in growing it.
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