Agave "Americana"

  • Other common names
    sentry plant
    century plant,
    maguey
    American aloe

  • Family
    Asparagaceae

  • Details

    Although it is called the century plant, it typically lives only 10 to 30 years. It has a spread around 1.8–3.0 m with gray-green leaves of 0.9–1.5 m long, each with a prickly margin and a heavy spike at the tip that can pierce deeply. Near the end of its life, the plant sends up a tall, branched stalk, laden with yellow blossoms, that may reach a total height up to 8–9 m tall.

    Its common name derives from its semelparous nature of flowering only once at the end of its long life. The plant dies after flowering, but produces suckers or adventitious shoots from the base, which continue its growth.

  • Plant range
    native to Mexico, and the United States in New Mexico, Arizona and Texas.

How to grow

 

Cultivation Grow under glass in a standard cactus compost, in bright, filtered light. When in growth water moderately and feed every two or three weeks with a balanced liquid feed. Keep almost dry in the winter

Propagation Propagate by offsets taken in spring or autumn

Suggested planting locations and garden types Architectural City & Courtyard Gardens Coastal Gravel Garden Mediterranean Climate Plants

 

How to care

 

Pruning No pruning required

Pests May be attacked by scale insects

Diseases Generally disease free

Personal experience

 

  • Bought in winter 2018 ( age at that time 3 years )
  • 80 liter pot
  • very easy plant, needs little water , alot of sun 
  • gives every year suckers
  • pot mix : lava, sand and normal pot ground
  • could overwinter outside if kept dry
  • still in pot and stays inside in the winter
  • will be planted in full ground in the future