Agave americana
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- ah-GAH-vay a-mer-ih-KAY-na
- Description
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American century plant is a rosette-forming herbaceous perennial succulent in the Asparagaceae family. The common name arose because it was once thought it took 100 years for the plant to flower. It does not take quite that long, more like 10-25 years, but once it does flower the main plant dies. When it blooms, it sends up a single flowering stalk from the center of the leaves reaching 15-30' tall or more. 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. As the plant is flowering, vegetative offsets appear at the base of the mother plant so this plant is easily propagated. Its striking sculptural form makes it a great specimen or accent plant for winter interest in a garden. This plant is highly salt tolerant.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious insect or disease problems. Agave weevil can be troublesome. Slugs and snails may damage foliage. Root rot may occur, particularly in poorly-drained or overly-moist soils.
Propagation: Seed, vegetative offsets
Soil: Dry, sandy, good drainage
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Yellow Ribbons'
Yellow stripes
- 'Yellow Ribbons'
- 'Yellow Ribbons'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Yellow Ribbons'
Yellow stripes
- 'Yellow Ribbons'
- 'Yellow Ribbons'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Agave
- Species:
- americana
- Family:
- Asparagaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Mexico and Southwestern United States
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- dry and sandy soil, pests, diseases, salt tolerant
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Succulent
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Sand
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- NC Region:
- Coastal
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Flower Size:
- 3-6 inches
- Flower Description:
- When it blooms, it sends up a single flowering stalk from the center of the leaves reaching 15-30' tall or more. 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. As the plant is flowering, vegetative offsets appear at the base of the mother plant so this plant is easily propagated. Its striking sculptural form makes it a great specimen or accent plant for winter interest in a garden.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Hairs Present:
- No
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Pool/Hardscape
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Specimen
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Diseases
- Dry Soil
- Insect Pests
- Salt
