Century plant 'Variegata'

Agave americana 'Variegata' | Also known as: Maguey 'Variegata', American aloe 'Variegata', Mexican soap plant 'Variegata' Agave altissima 'Variegata' | Rating: 0 votes | Print / Pdf

Agave Americana is also known as century plant or American aloe although it is not actually a member of the aloe family. The name century plant refers to the long lifespan of the plant, but it is actually a misnomer, it only lives up to around thirty years. The leaves are large, around 6ft long, fleshy and spiky, growing in rosettes around 13 feet across. The flowers are quite impressive, growing on spikes up to 26 feet high. The flowers themselves are large and yellow in colour, however you'll be lucky to see the flowers as it only blooms at the end of its long life. After which the plant dies, but it sends out suckers from which grow new plants.

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Plant
Known dangers?
  • no
Height [m]
  • 1 - 1.5
Spread [m]
  • 1.5
Dominant flower colour
  • Yellow
Flower Fragrance
  • No, neutral please
Flowering seasons
  • Early summer
  • Mid summer
  • Late summer
Foliage in spring
  • Variegated
Foliage in summer
  • Variegated
Foliage in Autumn
  • Variegated
Foliage in winter
  • Variegated
Propagation methods
  • seed
  • offsets
Growth habit
  • Rosette
Environment
Acidity
  • Acidic
  • Neutral
Hardiness zone
  • Z9-11
Heat zone
  • H12-5
Winter temperatures [°C]
  • -7 - 4
Heat days
  • 30 - 210
Moisture
  • well-drained
Soil type
  • sandy
  • loams
Sun requirements
  • Full sun
Exposure
  • Sheltered
Usage
Standard category
  • Cacti & succulents
  • Succulents
Grown for
  • Ornamental foliage and habit
Creative category
  • For Beginners
  • Show-offs
Garden type
  • Coastal
  • Containers
  • City
  • Mediterranean garden
Garden spaces
  • Specimen
  • Architectural
  • Borders
Gardening expertise
  • beginner
Time to reach full size
  • up to 20 years
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1 Related plants
Agave americana

Century plant

PLANTS Agave americana

Agave Americana is also known as century plant or American aloe although it is not actually a member of the aloe family. The name century plant refers to the long lifespan of the plant, but it is actually a misnomer, it only lives up to around thirty years. The leaves are large, around 6ft long, fleshy and spiky, growing in rosettes around 13 feet across. The flowers are quite impressive, growing on spikes up to 26 feet high. The flowers themselves are large and yellow in colour, however you'll be lucky to see the flowers as it only blooms at the end of its long life. After which the plant dies, but it sends out suckers from which grow new plants.