Agave guiengola 'Crème Brûlée'

Common Names: Crème Brûlée Agave, Creme Brulee Century Plant, Whale’s Tongue Agave

Family: Asparagaceae

Origin and Habitat

Agave guiengola 'Crème Brûlée', a variegated cultivar of Agave guiengola, is native to the limestone cliffs of Oaxaca, Mexico. In its natural habitat, it grows in rocky, well-drained soils in semi-arid environments, often in full sun or light shade. This cultivar, selected by agave specialist Kelly Griffin, was previously known as 'Marginata' but renamed due to post-1959 naming conventions. It is bred for ornamental appeal, thriving in xeriscapes, rock gardens, or containers.

Plant Description

Agave guiengola 'Crème Brûlée' forms an open, flat rosette, typically growing 90–120 cm wide and 60–90 cm tall, smaller than the species due to variegation. Its thick, broad, boat-shaped leaves are silvery-blue to grey-green with 1–2.5 cm creamy white to butter-yellow margins, which may flush pink under cold or drought stress. The leaves, 45–60 cm long, feature small, dark brown marginal teeth and a sharp terminal spine. The plant produces offsets prolifically, forming clumps over time. At maturity (15–25 years), it sends up a 1.5–2 m tall spike with pale yellow flowers, attracting hummingbirds, after which the main rosette dies. Its soft, sculptural form and glowing variegation make it a standout in succulent collections.

Care Instructions

Light

'Crème Brûlée' thrives in full sun to partial shade. Indoors, place less than 1 foot from a south-facing window for maximum growth. Outdoors, it prefers full sun in coastal areas but benefits from light afternoon shade inland to prevent leaf scorching. Insufficient light reduces variegation vibrancy. Acclimate gradually to full sun to avoid stress.

Watering

Water sparingly using the “soak and dry” method, ensuring soil dries completely between waterings. In spring and summer, water every 10–14 days, supplemented with half-strength fertilizer. In winter, water once a month, as the plant is semi-dormant. Overwatering causes root rot; avoid soaking or high humidity to prevent edema or fungal issues.

Soil

Use a well-draining cactus or succulent potting mix with 50–70% mineral content like perlite, coarse sand, or pumice.

Temperature

Ideal temperatures range from 18°C to 29°C. It is hardy in USDA zones 9a–11b, tolerating brief drops to -6.7°C, but requires protection from prolonged frost. In colder climates, grow indoors or use frost cloth for outdoor plants.

Additional Information

'Crème Brûlée' is prized for its striking variegation and architectural form, making it ideal for containers, desert gardens, or as a landscape accent. It propagates easily via offsets, which retain variegation and can be replanted after drying for 1–2 days. Seed propagation is possible but slow, and seedlings may not retain variegation. The plant is mildly toxic to children and pets if ingested and has sharp spines, so handle with care. It’s susceptible to agave snout weevil and mealybugs; inspect regularly and treat with insecticidal soap if needed. Its slow growth and low-maintenance nature make it a collector’s favorite for adding a glowing, tropical aesthetic to arid landscapes.