Intermediate
skill rating
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Agave americana (Century plant)
2 hours care
per year
per year
1.5m
Max height
Max height
1.5m
Max spread
Max spread
10-20 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Agave americana
Other names
Century plant, American aloe, Mexican soap plant, Maguey, Agave gracilispina
Genus
Agave Agave
Species
A. americana - A. americana is a tender, rosette-forming, evergreen perennial with lance-shaped, spiny-edged, spiny-tipped, grey-green leaves and large, spreading panicles bearing clusters of yellow-green flowers in summer.
Agave americana is: Evergreen
Habit
Rosette
Awards
RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)
Flower
Yellow, Green in Summer
Foliage
Silvery-grey, Green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Scale insects Scale insects
Diseases
Vulnerable to chlorosis resulting from magnesium deficiency.
General care
Propagation
Sow seed in 21C in spring.
Propagation methods
Offsets, Root plantlets, Seed
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Where to grow
Agave americana (Century plant) will reach a height of 1.5m and a spread of 1.5m after 10-20 years.
Suggested uses
Architectural, Conservatory, Containers, Desert garden/Xeriscaping, Drought Tolerant, Indoor, Low Maintenance, Mediterranean
Cultivation
Grow under glass in cactus compost, in bright, filtered light. Water moderately when in growth and feed every two or three weeks with a balanced liquid feed. Keep almost dry in the winter. Outdoors in frost-free areas, grow in moderately fertile, slightly acid, sharply drained soil in sun.
Soil type
Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South, East
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Indoor unheated (H2), Tender in frost (H3)
Companion plants
Botanical name
Agave americana
Other names
Century plant, American aloe, Mexican soap plant, Maguey, Agave gracilispina
Genus
Agave Agave
Species
A. americana - A. americana is a tender, rosette-forming, evergreen perennial with lance-shaped, spiny-edged, spiny-tipped, grey-green leaves and large, spreading panicles bearing clusters of yellow-green flowers in summer.
Native to
Mexico, Southwestern United States
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Rosette
Awards
RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)
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Colour
Flower
Yellow, Green in Summer
Foliage
Silvery-grey, Green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Diseases
Vulnerable to chlorosis resulting from magnesium deficiency.
General care
Propagation
Sow seed in 21C in spring.
Propagation methods
Offsets, Root plantlets, Seed
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Agave americana (Century plant) will reach a height of 1.5m and a spread of 1.5m after 10-20 years.
Suggested uses
Architectural, Conservatory, Containers, Desert garden/Xeriscaping, Drought Tolerant, Indoor, Low Maintenance, Mediterranean
Cultivation
Grow under glass in cactus compost, in bright, filtered light. Water moderately when in growth and feed every two or three weeks with a balanced liquid feed. Keep almost dry in the winter. Outdoors in frost-free areas, grow in moderately fertile, slightly acid, sharply drained soil in sun.
Soil type
Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South, East
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Indoor unheated (H2), Tender in frost (H3)
USDA zones
Zone 11, Zone 10, Zone 9, Zone 8
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Loamy, Sandy | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South, East | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Indoor unheated (H2), Tender in frost (H3) | Tell us... |
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