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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A perennial, very large, evergreen succulent that grows in a rosette. It rapidly grows to 8 to 10 feet tall with equal spread, eventually producing a single massive and tall candelabra inflorescence. The inflorescence rises to over 20 to 40 feet in height, bearing small yellow flowers that attract birds, hummingbirds, and bees.
Plant in full sun to light shade and well-drained soil. It tolerates poor soil and drought. The plant form offsets at the base that can be easily divided.
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
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Northern and central Mexico
- Distribution:
- Mexican states of Coahuila, Durango, San Luis Potosi, Zacatecas, Colima, Guanajuato, Hidalgo, Oaxaca, and Puebla
- Wildlife Value:
- Attracts birds, hummingbirds and bees
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- poor soil, drought
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Perennial
- Succulent
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Coarse
- Appendage:
- Spines
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- 6-feet-12 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Tubular
- Flower Description:
- 15 to 40-foot flower stalk when plant is 15 years old or more. The plant dies after flowering.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- 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 in length when mature.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Pool/Hardscape
- Landscape Theme:
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Security
- Small groups
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Hummingbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Heat
- Poor Soil
