Century Plant
Agave americana
USDA Hardiness Zones: 8-10
Height: 3-6'
Spread: 6-10'
Sun Exposure: Full Sun
Flower: Showy. The flowering stalk resembles a narrow telephone pole with horizontal branching near the top. Greenish-yellow flowers (each to 3-4" long) bloom in panicles at the branch ends.
Bloom Range: Blooms only once at maturity
Season: Evergreen
Description: Agave americana is a rosette-forming perennial succulent that is native to Mexico. Each leaf has a waxy bloom, spiny tip, and sharp marginal spines
Best growth occurs in a sandy/gritty, dry to medium moisture, well-drained soil in full sun. Container plants may be grown in a gritty, cactus-type potting mix. Sharp soil drainage is important. Poorly-drained soils may lead to root rot. Tolerates dry soils and drought so it is great for Xeric, water wise gardens. When an outdoor plant blooms, it sends up a single, stout, erect flowering stalk from the center of the basal rosette of leaves to 15-30' tall or more Suckers/offsets root at the base of each rosette over time, often forming a colony of new plants. Once a plant flowers and dies, the offsets around the base of the plant continue to grow.