Agave americana
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- ah-GAH-vay a-mer-ih-KAY-na
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
-
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
VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Houseplants, Succulents, and Cacti", a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- var. medio-picta 'Alba'
Variegated white and green - 'Yellow Ribbons'
Yellow stripes
- var. medio-picta 'Alba'
- var. medio-picta 'Alba', 'Yellow Ribbons'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- var. medio-picta 'Alba'
Variegated white and green - 'Yellow Ribbons'
Yellow stripes
- var. medio-picta 'Alba'
- var. medio-picta 'Alba', '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
- Dimensions:
- Height: 6 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 6 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
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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
- Available Space To Plant:
- 6-feet-12 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Tubular
- 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 dying 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
- Leaf Feel:
- Fleshy
- Smooth
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Long-lasting
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Rosulate
- Leaf Shape:
- Oblanceolate
- Spatulate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Rosettes of stemless, long, fleshy leaves, spatulate to oblanceolate in shape.
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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
