Century Plant, Maguey
Synonym: Agave altissima, Agave communis, Agave complicata, Agave felina, Agave fuerstenbergii, Agave gracilispina, Agave ingens, Agave melliflua, Agave milleri, Agave picta, Agave ingens var. picta, Agave ramosa, Agave rasconensis, Agave spectabilis Salisbury, Agave subzonata, Agave theometel, Agave americana var. theometel, Agave variegata Hort.ex Steud., Agave virginica Miller, Agave zonata
Family: Agavaceae
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Recommended Temperature Zone: sunset: 10-30 USDA: 8b-12 Frost Tolerance: Hardy in Phoenix to 18°F (-8°C), slow to recover after frost damage Minimum Avg. Temperature: 50°F (10°C) 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 |
Cultural Practices:
Tolerates poor soil and drought, but requires excellent drainage.
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.
Propagation:
The Agave americana grows fairly fast in summer if provided with extra water
References:
Agaves, Yuccas and Related Plants: A gardener guide
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