How big does an Agave americana get?

Mature garden plants are commonly 6 to 10 feet tall and wide. The plan piece starts at 108 inches across and 60 inches tall; type a new width and height to match your plant.

How far from a path should I plant an agave?

Far enough that the full mature rosette clears the path, since every leaf ends in a sharp spine. Plan the plant at its mature width and keep its edge off walkways, patio edges and play areas.

Does the century plant really flower once and die?

Yes. After about 10 to 25 years it flowers on a very tall stalk and the main rosette then dies, usually leaving pups at the base that grow on.

What conditions does it need?

Full sun and well-drained, sandy or gravelly soil. It is drought tolerant, and overly wet or poorly drained soil can cause root rot.

Living Room · Plants

Agave (Century Plant)

Name: Agave (Century Plant)
Brand: RoomSketch3D
Price: 19.99 USD
Availability: InStock

Agave (Century Plant) — 3D model preview — RoomSketch3D floor plan creator — 3D model preview

Width 108″Depth 108″Height 60″Shape circle

Overview

Agave americana, the century plant, is a large succulent that grows as a single rosette of thick, blue-grey leaves, each edged with spines and ending in a sharp terminal spine. It is a bold, sculptural specimen for dry and Mediterranean gardens, gravel beds and xeriscapes: it wants full sun and well-drained soil, tolerates drought, and rots in wet, poorly drained ground. Despite the name it doesn't take a century to flower; after roughly 10 to 25 years it sends up a very tall flower stalk, then the main rosette dies, usually leaving offsets (pups) at its base.

Sizing & placement

The plan default is a rosette 108 inches (9 feet) across and 60 inches tall, a well-grown garden plant. Mature plants are commonly listed at 6 to 10 feet tall and wide, so size it for the plant it will become: select it and type a larger width (the size boxes go up to 480 inches) or a smaller one for a young plant. Because the leaf tips are sharp, keep the full rosette well back from paths, patio edges, gates and play areas rather than letting it reach into a walkway.

Where it works

Yards, front gardens, gravel and rock gardens, slopes and dry borders in warm climates (it is hardy only to light frost, about USDA zones 8 to 11); desert, Mediterranean and modern landscapes. Find it under Plants (on the Outdoor tab), or search "agave", "century plant", "succulent" or "xeriscape".

Specifications

Width	108 in
Depth	108 in
Height	60 in
Shape	circle
Size class	standard
Room types	outdoor
Default color	#7E9C94

Configurable options

Color — any hex value

Frequently asked questions

How big does an Agave americana get?: Mature garden plants are commonly 6 to 10 feet tall and wide. The plan piece starts at 108 inches across and 60 inches tall; type a new width and height to match your plant.
How far from a path should I plant an agave?: Far enough that the full mature rosette clears the path, since every leaf ends in a sharp spine. Plan the plant at its mature width and keep its edge off walkways, patio edges and play areas.
Does the century plant really flower once and die?: Yes. After about 10 to 25 years it flowers on a very tall stalk and the main rosette then dies, usually leaving pups at the base that grow on.
What conditions does it need?: Full sun and well-drained, sandy or gravelly soil. It is drought tolerant, and overly wet or poorly drained soil can cause root rot.