Agave Americana

Agave Americana

Common Name: Century Plant, American Agave
Scientific Name: Agave americana

Description:

• Type: Evergreen succulent
• Height: Grows 3-6 feet tall, with a spread of 6-10 feet; flower stalks can reach up to 20-30 feet tall when blooming
• Leaves: Large, thick, and fleshy leaves with sharp, spiny edges; bluish-green or variegated with cream or yellow margins in some varieties
• Flowers: Produces yellow-green flowers on a towering stalk after 10-30 years, after which the plant dies, leaving offsets (pups) for propagation
• Growth Speed: Slow-growing, particularly in cooler climates

Growing Conditions:

• Sunlight: Prefers full sun but tolerates partial shade in hot climates
• Soil: Requires well-drained, sandy, or rocky soils; intolerant of poorly drained or heavy soils
• Watering: Extremely drought-tolerant; water sparingly and allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings
• Temperature: Hardy in USDA zones 8-11; tolerates temperatures down to 15°F (-9°C) when mature
• Humidity: Performs well in arid or semi-arid climates; sensitive to overly wet conditions
• Hardiness: Adapts to heat, drought, and poor soils with ease

Special Features:

• Dramatic, architectural plant ideal for xeriscaping and drought-prone landscapes
• Low-maintenance and highly resilient, requiring minimal care
• Iconic for its spiny, symmetrical form and towering flower stalk when in bloom