Meet the Century Plant
Century Plant | Agave americana
How do you know it’s me?:
My long pointed leaves start at my base and grow vertically. They are very rigid and thick.
I grow in a “rosette” form with upright leaves that may wave or bend with age.
My leaves are blue-green in color (depending on the variety) and have a waxy or powdery look to them.
Each of my leaves has a black terminal spike, and teeth along the margins.
My flowers emerge from the center of my rosette as tufts on top of a tall stalk (reaching heights of 15-20’ feet or more).
How big do I grow?: 3’ - 6’ height and 3’ - 10’ spread.
Sun-seeker or shade-lover: Full sun
Where I prefer to put my roots: Well-drained, sandy or gravelly soil. I do very well in drought conditions and am very salt tolerant.
Hardiness: Zone 8-10
Original home: I am native to Mexico and some parts of the southwestern US.
Colors: I am a succulent with evergreen leaves, generally blue-green in color. My flower stalk includes clusters of greenish-yellow flowers.
When I bloom: I flower once in my lifetime, and my flower persists for a couple months.
Wildlife friends: When I flower, I am visited by insects and birds.
Flora Fun Facts: I am a "monocarpic" plant, which means that the plant that produces the flower will die after flowering. I tend to produce offshoots ("pups") around my base, which will persist after my death and continue to grow into a new agave plant.
More Info: This statement plant adds a unique shape and texture to any garden, and will keep you guessing when it comes to flowering. Not only do the fleshy leaves have an almost alive quality, the agave will sit in a garden - seemingly unchanged - for several years before it produces an extraordinary flower stalk that can reach 20+ feet in height.
A member of the Asparagaceae family.
An herbaceous perennial succulent.
Called “Century Plants,” due to how long it takes for them to flower (generally about 10 years). “Century” is an exaggeration.
Great for xeriscaping, as it is well-suited to drought conditions.
Close relative to Agave tequilana which has been cultivated for 200+ years for the production of tequila. It is produced from the “heart” of the plant (the core of the base of the plant, stripped of its leaves). Agave americana can also be used to make tequila-like spirits.
Pups can be separated in spring or early summer and directly planted.
Pruning is not required, but dead or damaged leaves can be removed to maintain appearance. Take caution - leaf sap can cause skin irritation for some people.
Very susceptible to root rot if watered too frequently.
