American Blue Agave / Century Plant (Agave americana)

$5.00 USD

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Size 4" 5" 1 gallon 2-3 gallon 5 gallon

Out of stock

Agave americana L.

American Century Plant, Century Plant

Agavaceae (Century-Plant Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: AGAM

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), HI (I), VI (I)

Very large, handsome evergreen lily-like blue-green foliage. Xeric qualities and a stunning bloom stalk with maturity at ten years or more. Makes a great landscape focal point or accent and can be used in pots away from foot traffic. Best in full sun, but can take light shade. Winter damage occurs after low winter teen temperatures and is persistent on leaf surfaces until it recovers.

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Cactus/Succulent
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 6 feet tall without flower stalk.
Leaf: Green to blue-green color with interesting pattern on back side.
Fruit: Brown

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Yellow
Bloom Time: Jun , Jul
Bloom Notes: The bloom spike height ranges from 12-25 feet +. Bloom time trigger mechanism is not well understood, but this agave generally blooms at about 10 years of age.

Distribution

USA: AZ , CA , FL , LA , TX

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium
Cold Tolerant: yes
Heat Tolerant: yes
Soil Description: Sandy, Sandy Loam, Medium Loam, Clay Loam, Clay, Rocky Soil
Conditions Comments: American century plant is large beautiful agave with sharp leaf tip spines. It is prominent in the landscape and best used in mass or as focal point. It also does well in pot (large) culture. It benefits from some extra moisture in very dry conditions, but is very tolerant of heat and xeric conditions. It can take light shade better than some other agaves. But should be protected from teen winter temperatures to avoid damage.

Benefit

Use Ornamental: Showy growth habit, Blooms ornamental, Accent "shrub", Attractive
Use Wildlife: Nectar-hummingbirds, Nectar-insects, Seeds-granivorous birds, Seeds-Small mammals, protective habitat plant for birds and small animals
Warning: The sharp pointed spines on leaf tip can be a hazard to humans and pets if plant is not placed in landscape with care away from foot traffic
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Interesting Foliage: yes
Deer Resistant: Moderate

Image Information

Photographer: Schroeder, Susan
City: Camp Wood
County: Real
State: TX
Location Notes: Roaring Springs Ranch
Accession date: 2025-09-08
Filename: SMS_IMG0093.JPG
Slide Index: SMS_AGAM-20210505-06.jpg
Restrictions: Unrestricted
Collection: Wildflower Center Digital Library
Original Format: Digital
Orientation: Portrait
Shot: A flowering plant.
Date Taken: 2021-05-05
NPIN Image Id: 184152

Disclosures & Important Information

We pull plants for you. Inspect plants before acceptance. No returns or exchanges once plants leave our possession/property.

The mature plant is represented in website photos. The plant you receive will be in a stage of growth appropriate to its pot size. Photo colors may appear differently on various devices.

Shipping and delivery are not available. Pickup only, by appointment. Appointments are made during the checkout process. We guarantee the health of the plant only through the time of the scheduled appointment.

We allow multiple (but limited) appointments during the same time slot. We will assist you with your plant order based on a combination of your time of arrival and the time slot of your scheduled appointment.

Coupons that are valid for the Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center gift shop or admission are not valid for plants or other items sold through the plant sale.

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