Agave americana (Century Plant, American Aloe, Maguey)
Botanical Information
| Family | Asparagaceae |
| Genus | Agave |
| Species | americana |
| Category | Tropicals |
| Type | Shrub (evergreen) |
| Origin | Mexico, also grows wild in Europe, South Africa, India, and Australia. |
Details
| USDA Hardiness Zone | 8 - 10 |
| USDA Hardiness Ref. | |
| Canadian Hardiness Zone | Requires cool season protection under glass. |
| Canada Hardiness Ref. | |
| RHS Hardiness Zone | H2 |
| RHS Hardiness Ref. | |
| Height | 90 - 180 cm |
| Spread | 1.8 - 3 m |
| Growth | Medium |
Description and Growing Information
| Shape | Upright clumping with basal rosette. |
| Landscape | Informal rock gardens and tropical gardens, arid climate gardens, potted patio or indoor plant or as a specimen. |
| Propagation | Division of clump and separating offsets (pups) from parent plant. |
| Cultivation | Plant in loose, gravelly well-draining soil in full sun to partial shade. Water sparsely. Repotting annually will greatly benefit. |
| Pests | Slugs and snails may cause harm, root rot may occur in moist areas. |
| Notable Specimens | Centennial Conservatory, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. |
| Habitat | Dry plains and slops. |
| Leaf Description | Broad, thick lanceolate leaves with spiny margins, measuring roughly the height of the plant that droop slightly forward. |
| Flower Description | Inconspicuous flowers borne on a spike 1.8 - 2.4 m tall. |
| Colour Description | Deep green to sage green leaves with a pale green sediment. Pale yellow flowers borne on a tan-cream spike. |
| Texture Description | Smooth. |
Photographs
Agave americana, Form
Agave americana, Leaf
Agave americana, Maturity
Agave americana, Seedling
Awards
