Century plant (Agave americana)
Century plant (Agave americana) is a plant of succulent leaves that can grow 50cm – 1.5m tall and 50cm – 1.5m wide. In this growing guide we’ll learn the cultivation details and how to plant Century plant (Agave americana).
This plant has several common names including: century plant, American aloe, Mexican soap plant or maguey.
This is a evergreen plant that takes 10-20 years to reach full maturity.
In this article
Plant profile
Common name: century plant, American aloe, Mexican soap plant, maguey
Scientific name: Agave americana
Plant type: Cactus / Succulent
Habit: Clump-forming
Height: 50cm – 1.5m
Spread: 50cm – 1.5m
Foliage: Evergreen
Sunlight: Full Sun
Soil: Loam, Sand
Moisture: Well drained
Garden type: Architectural, City & Courtyard Gardens, Coastal, Mediterranean Garden, Patio & Container Garden
Other characteristics: RHS Award of Garden Merit
Seasonal colors
| Season | Stem | Foliage | Flower | Fruit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | ||||
| Summer | ||||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
How to plant Century plant (Agave americana) – Zeynel Cebeci, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Cacti and succulent plants are appreciated for their natural charm, mainly for their leaf shapes, but also in some cases for their colorful flowers in spring and summer.
They should be cultivated in areas that mimic the conditions in which they grow in nature, which are usually exposed places with stony and fast-draining soils.
These characteristics make them to be grown in pots.
Other types of Agave to consider:
See all Agave
How to plant
In this section we will learn how to plant Century plant (Agave americana), know its needs in terms of soil, watering and sun exposure.
Soil
Century plant (Agave americana) is a plant that prefers to grow in loam or sand.
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The loam soil is dark, rich in organic matter but balanced in minerals. It offers the best of all worlds, retaining enough water for the plants, but allowing excess moisture to drain away. This is the most desired type of garden soil, perfect for most plants.
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Sandy soil is light, porous and very easy to drain. It is a soil poor in organic matter and nutrients. It is composed of relatively large mineral particles that allow water to drain quickly.
As for pH, it is a plant that grows ideally in soils with pH acid or neutral.
Regarding drainage, Agave americana likes to grow in well drained soil.
Sunlight
Century plant (Agave americana) should be grown in full sun places.
Cultivation profiles – Growing Century plant (Agave americana) – Marc Ryckaert (MJJR), CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
