• Blue agave plants in a rocky desert garden with a tipped beige clay pot
  • Agave americana succulent plant with thick pointed leaves in black nursery pots outdoors
  • Close-up of Agave americana with pointed, serrated green leaves in a nursery with potted plants
  • Agave americana plants with thick spiky leaves in black pots at a sunny nursery
  • Potted agave americana plants in rows at an outdoor nursery with irrigation tubes
  • Rows of potted Agave americana plants with thick blue-green leaves in a nursery setting
  • Agave americana plants with spiky leaves in black pots at an outdoor nursery under sunlight
  • Agave Americana succulent plant with spiky blue-green leaves in black nursery pot outdoors
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Bonte Farm

Agave americana: Century Plant, Massive Blue-Green Architectural Succulent

Agave americana: Century Plant, Massive Blue-Green Architectural Succulent

$29.99 USD
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Agave americana: A Majestic Desert Icon

The Agave americana, famously known as the Century Plant, is one of the most recognized and imposing succulents in the world.1 Revered for its majestic size and architectural form, it creates a truly bold focal point in any large landscape. It forms a massive, vase-shaped rosette composed of numerous long, broad, and rigid leaves that arch outward. The foliage is a distinctive, pale blue-green to gray-green color, often coated in a white, waxy bloom (farina).

Each substantial leaf is lined with sharp, prominent marginal teeth and capped with a formidable terminal spike, demanding space and respect. While monocarpic (blooming only once), the 'Century Plant' is known for sending out countless offsets (pups), quickly forming large colonies around the base of the parent rosette. Exceptionally drought-tolerant and tough, Agave americana is the definitive choice for large-scale xeriscapes, slopes, and dramatic Mediterranean gardens where low-water, high-impact structure is required.2

Botanical Characteristics

Characteristic

Detail

Scientific Name

Agave americana (Species)

Common Names

Century Plant, American Aloe, Maguey

Growth Habit

Forms a massive, vase-shaped rosette that spreads extensively via prolific offsets (pups).

Foliage

Huge, rigid, fleshy leaves in blue-green to pale gray-green; heavily toothed margins.

Leaf Margins

Lined with pronounced, sharp marginal teeth and a long, menacing terminal spike.

Flowers

Monocarpic: Produces a towering, branched flower spike (up to 30 ft.) once after 10-30 years, after which the parent rosette dies.

Special Features

Massive size, iconic architectural form, and extreme hardiness.

Mature Size

Agave americana is a giant among succulents and should be sited where it has ample room to grow.

  • Height (Foliage): Typically reaches 4–6 feet (1.2–1.8 meters) tall.
  • Height (In Bloom): Flower spike can reach an incredible 20–30 feet (6–9 meters) tall.
  • Spread: Individual rosettes spread 6–10 feet (1.8–3 meters) wide, with colonies spreading much wider.
  • Its huge scale makes it unsuitable for small yards or patio containers.

USDA Hardiness Zone

This is one of the hardiest Agaves, suitable for USDA Hardiness Zones 8–11. It is known to tolerate short periods of temperatures down to 15°F (-9°C) when kept dry, making it reliable in regions with cool winters.

Cultivation and Care

Aspect

Care Instructions

Sunlight

Requires full sun to encourage dense, compact rosettes and the best foliage color.

Soil

Critical: Needs perfectly draining, lean, and gritty soil. Avoid all standing water; prone to root rot.

Water

Extremely drought-tolerant. Water deeply and infrequently during the warm season. Keep dry during winter dormancy.

Fertilizer

Minimal to none. Fertilizing is usually unnecessary and can encourage weak, floppy growth.

Pruning

Remove dead lower leaves only. Wear heavy protective gear when handling due to the sharp spines. Offsets are easily removed for propagation.

Landscape Use

  • Architectural Focal Point: Used as a dramatic, permanent centerpiece in large open landscapes.
  • Slopes and Erosion Control: Excellent for stabilizing dry, sunny banks where its roots anchor the soil.
  • Barrier Planting: Its large size and sharp spines make it a highly effective, natural security barrier.3
  • Xeriscape/Mass Planting: Ideal for providing permanent, low-water structure in large groupings.

Wildlife Attraction

The formidable size and very sharp spines render Agave americana completely deer and rabbit resistant. The rare, towering bloom spike attracts hummingbirds, bats, and other pollinators when it finally appears.4

Pest and Disease Resistance

This species is historically robust. The main threats are the Agave Snout Weevil (a serious pest) and root rot, which is always linked to overwatering or poor drainage. Preventative care for weevils is often recommended.

Propagation

Agave americana is highly prolific, producing numerous offsets (pups) at its base.5 These pups are easily separated from the mother plant and can be planted directly into dry, gritty soil to establish new rosettes.6 The parent plant also produces bulbils on its flower stalk, which can be harvested and grown.

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