American Agave (Century Plant)

Agave americana

Other Names: Maguey, American Aloe, American Century Plant, Mexican Soap Plant

Plant Details

USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 8a-11 Find Your Zone

Plant Type: Evergreen Succulent

Height at Maturity: 3-6′, rarely up to 8′

Width at Maturity: 3-6′, rarely up to 10′

Spacing: 10′ or more for space between plants

Growth Habit / Form: Rosette

Growth Rate: Slow

Flower Color: Greenish Yellow, Chartreuse

Flower Size: 3-4″ long in panicles atop 15 to 30 foot tall flower stalks

Flowering Period: Summer

Flower Type: Single

Fragrant Flowers: No

Foliage Color: Grey-Green with Blue cast

Fragrant Foliage: No

Berries/Fruit:

Berry Color:

Sun Needs: Full Sun or Mostly Sun; 6 hours or more of direct sunlight

Water Needs: Low

Soil Type: Clay (Amend heavy clay soil to ensure good drainage), Sandy, Gritty; Prefers dry, sandy soils

Soil Moisture / Drainage: Well Drained Damp or Dry; extremely drought tolerant when established

Soil pH: 6.0 – 7.0 (Moderately Acid to Neutral)

Maintenance / Care: Very Low to None

Attracts: Hummingbirds, Moths and Butterflies, Visual Attention

Resistances: Deer, Disease, Drought, Dry Soil, Heat, Insect, Rocky Soil, Salt

Description

With its striking sculptural form this American native succulent perennial plant makes for a great specimen or accent in the landscape in USDA Zones 8a to 11. Similar in appearance to the aloe plant but much larger, American Agave, also commonly know as Century Plant, forms a large rosette 3 to 6 feet tall and wide of up to 70 stemless, long, fleshy grey-green leaves, spatulate to oblanceolate in shape. At one time, it was thought that this plant bloomed every 100 years, hence the common name, but it actually blooms more like every 15 to 25 years. When it does, a telephone pole like flower stalk emerges from the center of the plant rising to heights of 15 to 30 feet. At the top of this stalk is a large cluster of greenish yellow 3 to 4 inch long flowers. Grow this living wonder in a well-draining site that receives at least 6 hours of direct sun per day. It is highly tolerant of salt so is great for planting in coastal gardens.

Interesting Facts

Agave americana is one of the main species in the genus for making the drink ‘mezcal’, a distilled alcoholic beverage that is very popular in Mexico and is also exported. A true multipurpose plant, providing food, medicine and many commodities for the people who live in the native habitats where it grows naturally in abundance. It is also used to produce a syrup, which is traded internationally. And, of course, it’s highly prized as a hardy ornamental plant in USDA Zones 8a-11.

Landscape & Garden Uses

Growing 3 to 6 feet tall and wide over time, the American Agave is ideal for use as a specimen or in groupings in sunny to partially shaded landscape borders. It looks right at home in a rock gardens or in seaside coastal gardens. Can also we grown in pots that can be situated outdoors or indoors for a houseplant, just make sure to provide at least 6 hours of bright light or more per day in an interior environment. A fine addition to rock gardens and the Xeriscape Gardens (low water needs when established). We like combining American Agave with other low water need plants such as yucca, junipers, barberry, abelia, ornamental grasses, loropetalum and other succulent plants to name a few.

Suggested Spacing: 10 feet or more apart for space between plants

Growing Preferences

American Agave is exceptionally easy to grow in a very well-drained soil of average to low fertility and full to mostly sun. We suggest at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. It prefers a sandy to gritty soil that is moderately acid to neutral (6.0 to 7.0 pH). No maintenance required except to remove a damaged leaf. Extremely drought, heat, humidity and salt tolerant.

Note: Plant as you would a Yucca. For helpful advice provided by our experts, click on the Planting & Care tab above on desktops and below on mobile phones.

Plant Long & Prosper!

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