Agave americana, a native of Mexico, forms rosette-shaped succulents. It has been introduced and naturalized in several tropical areas around the world. This evergreen plant features large, lanceolate, gray-green basal rosettes that can reach a height and width of 6' to 8' over time. Spiny tips, waxy blooms, and sharp margins distinguish each leaf. Infrequent but spectacular flowering spikes are also a highlight of this plant.
The life cycle of Agave americana is monocarpic, meaning it blooms once and then dies. It can live for 100 years before flowering. Hence, it is commonly known as the century plant. Outdoor plants typically bloom between the tenth and 25th year, while indoor plants rarely flower. When an outdoor Agave americana blooms, it sends up a single, erect flowering stalk that can reach 15-30 feet. The flowering stalk resembles a narrow telephone pole with horizontal branching near the top. Greenish-yellow flowers (each 3-4" long) bloom in panicles at the branch ends. Suckers/offsets root at the base of each rosette over time, often forming a colony of new plants. Once a plant flowers and dies, the offsets around the base of the plant continue to grow.
Agave americana is reliably winter hardy in USDA zones 8-10. It thrives best in full sun, sandy/gritty, well-drained, dry to medium moisture soil. Gritty, cactus-type potting mixes can be used for container plants, but a sharp soil drainage system is essential to avoid root rot. Drought and dry soils are acceptable for this plant. It can be propagated from seed or offsets.
