- Botanical name: Agave americana
- Common name: Century plant, agave
- Family: Asparagaceae
- Plant Type: Cactus or succulent, Evergreen
Yellow
Blue/Green
- Key features:
- Dramatic foliage
More a succulent border perennial than a shrub because it does not develop permanent woody stems, Agave americana is a beautiful, highly architectural species, regarded by many as an indoor or seasonal plant for growing outdoors in summer. It eventually forms an enormous rosette of stiff, dangerously pointed leaves. It’s known as the century plant as it supposedly takes 100 years to flower; typically it when about 30-40 years old, after which the main plant dies, leaving young offsets as successors.
Grow Agave americana in well-drained soil in full sun. When mature it will be able to cope with cold and frosts provided it’s protected from winter wet. Young plants will need extra protection. Alternatively grow in a large container that you can move indoors in autumn.Â
How to grow Agave americana
-
Plant size
2m height
3m spread
-
Aspect
South facing, west facing
-
Position in border
Back
- Sun exposure: Full sun
- Hardiness: Frost hardy
- Soil type: Well drained / light / sandy / clay / heavy / moist
Plant calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plant | ||||||||||||
| Plant |
J
Do not Plant in January |
F
Do not Plant in February |
M
Do not Plant in March |
A
Do not Plant in April |
M
Do Plant in May |
J
Do Plant in June |
J
Do not Plant in July |
A
Do not Plant in August |
S
Do not Plant in September |
O
Do not Plant in October |
N
Do not Plant in November |
D
Do not Plant in December |
Agave americana and wildlife
Agave americana has no particular known value to wildlife in the UK.
Is Agave americana poisonous?
Agave americana has no toxic effects reported.
No reported toxicity to Birds
No reported toxicity to Cats
No reported toxicity to Dogs
No reported toxicity to Horses
No reported toxicity to Livestock
No reported toxicity to People
Plants that go well with Agave americana
