Century Plant Agave salmiana
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Century Plant:
- Phonetic Spelling
- a-GAH-vay salm-ee-AH-na
- Description
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This century plant is an evergreen succulent in the asparagus family (Asparagaceae) native to central and northern Mexico.
It grows 8 to 13 feet tall with equal spread in full sun in well-drained sandy to rocky soils. It is drought and poor soils tolerant. Divide the plant off-sets as needed for propagation. Colder temperatures are tolerated only if the soil is dry.
The plant grows in a rosette of thick dark green stems with sharp teeth on the margins and a large spine at the tip. After 15- 25 years it produces a single massive and tall candelabra-type inflorescence. The inflorescence rises to 20 to 40 feet bearing small greenish-yellow flowers that attract birds, hummingbirds, and bees. Once seed set has occurred the rosette will die.
This large plant is best used in arboretums, parks, university campuses or large yards as a specimen in a drought-tolerant, winter or rock garden.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems
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:
- Xeriscape Garden for a Dry, Sunny Site
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Agave
- Species:
- salmiana
- Family:
- Asparagaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Fiber from the leaves has been used to make ropes, nets, sandals, clothing, bows, netting and mats. The spines have been used as a sewing needle. The roots have been used to make soap.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Northern and central Mexico
- Wildlife Value:
- Attracts birds, hummingbirds and bees
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- poor soil, drought
- Edibility:
- Used in the production of tequilas and mezcals. The stems are edible.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 8 ft. 0 in. - 13 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 8 ft. 0 in. - 13 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Perennial
- Succulent
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Coarse
- Appendage:
- Spines
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil pH:
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- 6-feet-12 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- Dried pod containing darkly colored seeds
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Tubular
- Flower Description:
- 15 to 40-foot flower stalk resembling a candelabra with many tubular greenish-yellow flowers occurs after 15 years or more years of age.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Blue
- Gray/Silver
- Leaf Feel:
- Prickly
- Smooth
- Waxy
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Long-lasting
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Rosulate
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Strap-shaped, waxy, blue-gray, long and broad leaves to 5 feet long when mature. Margins with sharp teeth and the tip with a long spine.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Large tall green flowering stem.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Pool/Hardscape
- Landscape Theme:
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Rock Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Security
- Small groups
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Hummingbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Heat
- Poor Soil
- Problems:
- Spines/Thorns
