Century Plant, Maguey
Scientific Name: Agave americana L.
Synonym: Agave altissima, Agave americana var. theometel , Agave communis, Agave complicata, Agave felina, Agave fuerstenbergii, Agave gracilispina, Agave ingens, Agave ingens var. picta , Agave melliflua, Agave milleri, Agave picta, Agave ramosa, Agave rasconensis, Agave spectabilis, Agave subzonata, Agave theometel, Agave variegata, Agave virginica, Agave zonata
Family: Agavaceae
Sunset®: 10-30
USDA: 8b-12
Frost Tolerance: Hardy in Phoenix to 18°F (-8°C), slow to recover after frost damage
Heat Tolerance: Extremely heat resistant
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Origin: Widely cultivated in the world, probably originally from eastern Mexico
Growth Habits: Grey leafed succulents, eventually forms clumps of 10 feet wide (3 m) rosettes.
Watering Needs: Infrequent water
Propagation: Suckers (called pups), seeds
The Century Plant is one of the finest succulents available in Phoenix and other Mediterranean climates. Its size unfortunately limit its use.
Blooming Habits:
Blooms only when the plant is 15 years old or more. The flower stalk is huge (15 to 40 feet), starting like an asparagus, but its 3 inches in width (7 cm), pale yellow flowers in panicle are inconspicuous. The plant then dies leaving suckers that grow into replacement plants. It is often attacked by the agave snout weevil in Arizona.
Culture:
Tolerates poor soil and drought, but requires excellent drainage.
Propagation:
The Agave americana grows fairly fast in summer if provided with extra water
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