Agave Century Plant
Agave americana
This dramatic Mexican succulent creates a stunning architectural focal point with its massive blue-gray rosette of thick, sword-like leaves edged with fierce spines. True to its name, it grows for many years before producing a spectacular 20-foot flower spike, making it a once-in-a-lifetime garden event that's worth the wait.
Harvest
N/Ad
Days to harvest
Sun
Full sun
Zones
8–11
USDA hardiness
Height
6-10 feet
Complete Growing Guide
Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day). Soil: Sand. Drainage: Good Drainage. Height: 6 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 6 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 6-feet-12 feet. Growth rate: Slow. Maintenance: Low. Propagation: Division, Seed. Regions: Coastal, Piedmont.
Harvesting
Bloom time: Summer
History & Origin
Origin: Mexico and Southwestern United States
Advantages
- +Disease resistance: Deer, Diseases, Drought, Dry Soil, Insect Pests, Salt
- +Low maintenance
Considerations
- -Toxic (calcium oxalate crystals): Low severity
- -Causes contact dermatitis
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Lavender
Thrives in similar dry conditions and repels pests while attracting beneficial pollinators
Rosemary
Shares drought tolerance and Mediterranean growing conditions, deters harmful insects
Sage
Compatible water needs and soil preferences, natural pest deterrent properties
Sedum
Similar water requirements and creates attractive textural contrast in xerophytic gardens
Palo Verde
Desert native that provides light shade and shares extremely low water requirements
Barrel Cactus
Identical water and soil drainage needs, creates authentic desert landscape design
Desert Marigold
Drought-tolerant perennial that adds color and attracts beneficial insects to desert gardens
Brittlebush
Native desert companion with matching water needs and complementary silver foliage
Keep Apart
Ferns
Require high moisture and humidity levels incompatible with agave's dry conditions
Impatiens
Need frequent watering and shade, creating fungal disease risk in agave's environment
Hostas
Require moist, shaded conditions completely opposite to agave's dry, sunny needs
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Extremely resistant to diseases and pests
Common Pests
Agave snout weevil, scale insects, mealybugs
Diseases
Crown rot from overwatering, bacterial soft rot in humid conditions