Century Plant Agave americana
Introduction
Century Plant is a hardy survivor, tolerating heat, drought,
and salty seaside conditions. Its tight rosette of bluegreen,
stiff, sword-shaped leaves, each up to six feet long and
10 inches wide, makes a dramatic statement in the landscape.
It is much favored for use in rock gardens. The sharp spine at
the tip of its toothed leaves is often removed to protect people
and pets. The plant attracts attention due to its very coarse
texture and blue-green leaf color. Locate it at least six feet away
from walks and other areas where people could contact the
spiny foliage.
General Information
Scientific name: Agave americana
Pronunciation: uh-GAW-vee uh-mair-rick-KAY-nuh
Common name(s): Century Plant
Family: Agavaceae
Plant type: shrub
USDA hardiness zones: 9 through 11
Planting month for zone 9: year round
Planting month for zone 10 and 11: year round
Origin: native to North America
Uses: border; accent; mass planting
Availablity: somewhat available, may have to
go out of the
region to find the plant
Description
Height: 6 to 8 feet
Spread: 8 to 10 feet
Plant habit: round
Plant density: open
Growth rate: slow
Texture: coarse
Foliage
Leaf arrangement: alternate
Leaf type: simple
Leaf margin: spiny
Leaf shape: lanceolate
Leaf venation: none, or difficult to see
Leaf type and persistence: evergreen
Leaf blade length: more than 36 inches
Leaf color: blue or blue-green
Fall color: no fall color change
Fall characteristic: not showy
Flower
Flower color: white
Flower characteristic: flowers once
Fruit
Fruit shape: oval
Fruit length: 1 to 3 inches
Fruit cover: dry or hard
Fruit color: brown
Fruit characteristic: persists on the plant
Trunk and Branches
Trunk/bark/branches: not particularly showy;
usually with one stem/trunk
Current year stem/twig color: not applicable
Current year stem/twig thickness: not applicable
Culture
Light requirement: plant grows in part shade/part
sun
Soil tolerances: alkaline; clay; sand; acidic;
loam
Drought tolerance: high
Soil salt tolerances: unknown
Plant spacing: 36 to 60 inches
Other
Roots: usually not a problem
Winter interest: no special winter interest
Outstanding plant: not particularly outstanding
Invasive potential: may self-seed each year
Pest resistance: no serious pests are normally
seen on the plant
Use and Management
Century Plant does best in full sun but can adapt
to some
shade. After 10 years or more (though not a century),
a lofty
flower spike is produced, sometimes reaching
a height of 20
feet, with terminal panicles of pale yellow to
white blooms. The
plant dies after blooming. The plant is typically
used in
residences as a free-standing specimen, not planted
in mass.
Due to its large size, most residences only need
one of these.
Larger commercial landscapes have room for multiple
mass
plantings which can create a dramatic impact.
Century Plant is propagated by detaching the
well-rooted
suckers appearing at the base, or by plantlets
formed on the
flower spike.
Pests and Diseases
No pests or diseases are of major concern.
by Edward F. Gilman
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