Brighter Blooms SHOP ALL Century Plant

A Commanding Garden Presence

Century Plant, also known as Blue American Agave (Agave americana, is one of those dramatic-looking plants that simply cannot be overlooked in the landscape! It commands attention on so many levels ‘– its form, its size, its texture, and its spectacular bluish-gray to bluish-green color. If you want to make a bold design statement without having to fuss over a demanding plant, low-maintenance Blue American Agave will not disappoint.

True Blue and Tough as Nails
Century Plant is a durable plant that will reward you year after year with a host of attributes, including:

• Striking foliage. Its bluish-gray leaves will certainly turn heads, but equally striking is the shape of this plant. It grows in a rosette form, which means all the leaves arise from a central crown. As it matures, Blue American Agave can reach a height of 6 feet, with a spread that’s even larger ‘– up to 10 feet! The leaves are thickly succulent, and they create a starburst pattern that radiates straight up from the crown with the outer leaves gently arching away from the center. Plant Blue American Agave in a prominent place ‘– it’s a true specimen plant that makes a stunning focal point.

• Drought- and heat-tolerant. As a succulent plant, Century Plant stores water in its leaves, which means you won’t have to worry about watering it after it’s established. When there’s little rainfall, the stored water keeps the plant hydrated. Heat and humidity do not faze this plant at all; in fact, as the temperature rises in summer, it is even more beautiful!

• Evergreen that produces alluring fragrance. “Green” in “evergreen” simply means the Century Plant retains its foliage in winter, not that it loses its bluish color and turns green in cold weather. You can even plant it as an intriguing substitute for an evergreen shrub.

Easy-Care Perennial
As a perennial in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 8 through 11, this low-maintenance plant has only a few needs. It’ll grow best in a sunny location ‘– at least 6 hours each day. It’s adaptable to many soil types, as long as the soil has good drainage. If you plant it in a raised bed, in a container, or if you want to loosen heavy garden soil, use a prepackaged cactus or succulent mix.

Tip: Just a word of caution – Wear gloves when handling Blue American Agave because it has sharp, pointed tips and sharp leaf edges. Plant it away from sidewalks and sitting areas; and keep it out of reach of curious little hands!

NOTE: This product is specific to Arizona. Find Century Plants available in other states.

Planting & Care

1. Planting: When planting Century Plant, find a location that offers full sun (6 to 8 hours of sunlight daily). This plant can adapt to a wide variety of soil types as long as it drains well.

Dig your hole 3 times the width and slightly shallower than the root ball. Use your fingers to separate the roots of your Blue American Agave and gently position downward in the hole. The top of the root flare (where the end of the roots meets the trunk) should be about an inch above the surrounding soil. Hold the tree straight as you begin to backfill the site, tamping down the soil as you go. When finished, apply water to settle the soil and remove any air pockets that may have formed.

If you’re planting in a container, select a pot that’s twice as large as your plant’s shipped container, use organic soil, and select a sunny spot for your plant.

2. Watering: Stick your finger into the surrounding soil down to a depth of 2 inches and feel around for any moisture. If the soil is drying out, go ahead and water your Agave.

3. Fertilizing: Agaves will benefit from the application of a granulated time-release fertilizer in spring.