Name: Agave potatorum 'Kissho Kan'
Brand: Surreal Succulents
SKU: G724-kissho
Rating: 5.0 (1 reviews)

Agave potatorum 'Kissho Kan'

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What size is this plant?

Why we ship our plants without pots and soil

Most of our plants are shipped bare-root. Please note that the plant you receive may not be an exact likeness of the images shown.

Agave potatorum ‘Kissho Kan’ is a striking variegated Agave prized for its perfectly symmetrical rosette and dramatic colour contrast. A Japanese selection of the Mexican species Agave potatorum, it forms compact, sculptural plants ideal for containers and dry gardens.

This slow-growing succulent produces thick blue-green leaves edged with creamy white margins and lined with distinctive teeth that mature from yellow to deep cinnamon-brown. The rosette grows tightly packed, creating a bold architectural form that stands out in any collection.

One of Surreal Succulents’ favourite plants and often features in our RHS Display Gardens.

Also known as:

Butterfly Agave
Drunk Agave
Kissho Kan Agave
Agave potatorum variegata

Where it thrives

Sunlight Full Sun 5+ hrs of sun

Recommended location Outdoor Tabletop

Recommended location Patio

Recommended location Conservatory

Plant characteristics

Growability Beginner

Growth form Singular rosette

Growth rate Slow

Minimum temperature -4°C

Mature size, height and width 50 cm x 50 cm

Foliage colour White and Green

On Arrival

Agave potatorum 'Kissho Kan' is delivered bare-root. Plant it into a stable pot of sharply drained compost, keeping the crown above the surface and positioning outdoor specimens at a slight angle.

Spread the roots naturally, tap the pot to settle the compost and wait five to seven days before watering. This allows transport damage to dry and reduces the risk of basal rot.

Keep Agave potatorum 'Kissho Kan' in bright, sheltered conditions while it establishes. Introduce full sun gradually and handle the leaf tips with care.

We supply the recommended care essentials for mail order. Find the relevant products here: succulent compost

Watering

Agaves are summer growers, so water Agave potatorum 'Kissho Kan' freely through the warm growing season. Follow a soak-and-dry approach: drench the entire root area thoroughly, let all excess drain away, then allow the compost to dry before watering again. In active growth this usually means watering about once a week, rising to two or three times a week during prolonged hot, sunny, dry spells.

Water in the morning and check the compost first. Outdoor plants in sharply drained ground can rely largely on rainfall, but containers should be monitored through prolonged dry spells.

Keep Agave potatorum 'Kissho Kan' almost dry over winter, when growth rests. Cold, saturated compost and water sitting in the crown are the greatest risks, far more than cold itself.

We supply the recommended care essentials for mail order. Find the relevant products here: succulent compost

Light and position

Provide Agave potatorum 'Kissho Kan' with Full Sun - 5+ Hours of Sun. Suitable positions can include Outdoor Tabletop, Patio, and Conservatory. Strong natural light is particularly important through winter and helps the plant maintain firm, compact leaves.

Most Agaves prefer full sun or partial shade. Variegated forms often keep their markings more clearly with protection from the harshest afternoon sun.

Allow sufficient space around the mature rosette and keep it away from narrow paths, doors and play areas. The leaf margins and terminal spines can cause injury.

Compost and drainage

Plant Agave potatorum 'Kissho Kan' in a sharply drained mixture containing approximately 50% multi-purpose compost and 50% horticultural grit or perlite. Always use a stable pot with large, unrestricted drainage holes.

Set outdoor plants at a slight angle so rain runs away from the crown. Apply a thick mineral top-dressing to keep the lowest leaves away from wet compost.

Do not overpot an Agave. A large volume of unused compost remains damp for too long and makes the heavy rosette less stable.

We supply the recommended care essentials for mail order. Find the relevant products here: succulent compost horticultural grit perlite

Feeding

Feed Agave potatorum 'Kissho Kan' regularly during active spring and summer growth to support strong, healthy development. Incorporate a five to six-month slow-release fertiliser when repotting, or apply a well-balanced liquid feed every two to three weeks.

Apply liquid feed only when the compost is already moist. Regular feeding through the warm months promotes firm, well-coloured leaves and strong growth right through summer.

Stop feeding as temperatures fall and growth slows. Soft late growth is less resilient through a cold, damp winter.

We supply the recommended care essentials for mail order. Find the relevant products here: succulent compost liquid seaweed feed

Winter care

The recorded minimum temperature for Agave potatorum 'Kissho Kan' is -4°C. Agave hardiness varies greatly, so follow the product's recorded value rather than treating every species in the same way.

Keep the plant in the brightest available position and protect it from persistent winter wet. Young plants, tender cultivars and containers can be moved beneath cover or wrapped with horticultural fleece during severe weather.

Keep the compost on the dry side while growth is resting. Some hardy species tolerate snow and frost successfully when their roots and crowns remain well drained.

We supply the recommended care essentials for mail order. Find the relevant products here: succulent compost horticultural fleece

Summer care

Agaves tolerate heat well when they have strong roots and free-draining compost. Water thoroughly during prolonged hot, dry weather and allow the compost to drain between waterings.

Ventilate greenhouses and conservatories so heat does not become trapped around the crown. Variegated forms may need temporary afternoon shade to prevent pale tissue from scorching.

Continue feeding through active summer growth. Stop if the plant is stressed, newly repotted or unable to dry between waterings.

We supply the recommended care essentials for mail order. Find the relevant products here: succulent compost

Repotting

Repot Agave potatorum 'Kissho Kan' in spring when it becomes pot-bound or unstable. Wear suitable gloves and handle the rosette carefully because the terminal spines and leaf margins can be sharp.

Remove dead leaves and roots, separate any well-developed offsets and replace the old compost with a fresh 50:50 compost and mineral mixture.

Set the plant at a slight angle outdoors so water drains away from the crown. Wash your hands after handling because Agave sap can irritate the skin.

We supply the recommended care essentials for mail order. Find the relevant products here: succulent compost

Common problems

A loose crown, soft basal leaves or a sour smell from the compost indicates excess moisture and root damage. Remove rotten tissue, improve drainage and keep the plant dry while it recovers.

Pale, elongated leaves indicate insufficient light. Move Agave potatorum 'Kissho Kan' gradually into a brighter position, particularly during winter.

Check deep leaf bases for mealybug and scale. Position the plant safely so its terminal spines cannot injure people or pets.

We supply the recommended care essentials for mail order. Find the relevant products here: succulent compost

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Agave potatorum 'Kissho Kan'

Where it thrives

How to care for Agave potatorum 'Kissho Kan'

Plant characteristics

On Arrival

Watering

Light and position

Compost and drainage

Feeding

Winter care

Summer care

Repotting

Common problems

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