desert succulent
American century plant
Agave americana
Also known as Century Plant
1 of 2Native to Florida, Louisiana, and Texas
- Light Full sun Sun tolerance
- Moisture Dry Moisture preference
- Zones n/a Cold to heat range
- Bloom Jan–Dec Flowering time
- Height up to 6 ft to 1.8 m
- Life cycle Perennial Annual to perennial
In the garden
A desert succulent for full sun and lean, dry soil. Its yellow flowers peak in July. At up to 6 ft, it needs room in rock gardens, gravel beds, and hot, dry spots.
Growing conditions
Light
Full sun Partial shade Full shade
Moisture
Dry Moist Wet
When it blooms
The American century plant's yellow flowers bloom January to December, peaking in July. This midsummer display draws birds and bees.
American century plant blooms yellowFoliage
Pollinators & wildlife
- Birds Brown-headed Cowbird
also Orange-crowned Warbler, Western Tanager, Hooded Oriole +2 more
Orchard Oriole, Verdin - Bees Western Honey Bee also Buff-tailed Bumble Bee, Lasioglossum podolicum
- Hummingbirds Anna's Hummingbird also Costa's Hummingbird
Butterflies that use this plant
Documented host and nectar records. Each links to a planting guide for that butterfly.
- Dainty sulphurnectar
Full plant details
Where it grows
- Habitat
- DesertThe wild plant community it grows in.
- Native range
- Florida, Louisiana, and TexasUnited States (3): FL, LA, TX. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
Growing conditions
- Light
- Full sunHow much sun it takes, from full sun to full shade.
- Moisture
- DryThe soil dampness it prefers, from dry to wet.
- Soil
- Sandy, Sandy Loam, Medium Loam, Clay Loam, Clay, Rocky SoilThe soils it grows in naturally.
- Soil texture
- Light to medium (sandy to loamy)The soil grade it prefers, from sand to clay.
- Soil pH
- 6.0–8.0The acidity to alkalinity it tolerates (7 is neutral).
- Soil quality
- LowHow rich a soil it needs. Many natives prefer lean soil and flop in rich beds.
- Water use
- LowHow thirsty it is, a rough guide to how often to water.
- Salinity tolerance
- LowHow well it copes with salty soil, near roads or the coast.
- Lime (CaCO₃) tolerance
- MediumHow well it copes with chalky, lime-rich soil.
Growth & form
- Height
- up to 6 ft (to 1.8 m)Typical mature height.
- Spread
- ~8 ft (2.5 m)How wide one plant gets, a guide to spacing.
- Life cycle
- PerennialWhether it lives a single season (annual), two (biennial), or returns for years (perennial).
- Growth rate
- SlowA relative ranking versus other plants of the same type (USDA), not an absolute rate.
- Shape
- Semi-ErectIts overall silhouette.
- Root depth
- 30+ in (76+ cm)How far the roots reach, a guide to drought resilience and transplanting.
Flowers, foliage & fruit
- Type
- SucculentWhat kind of plant it is.
- Bloom
- Jan–DecWhen it flowers.
- Flower color
- YellowThe bloom color, or colors.
- Fruit/Seeds
- ripens Jan–DecThe seed or fruit it sets after flowering.
- Toxicity
- None knownWhether any part is poisonous to people or pets.
Propagation & seed
- Cold stratification
- Not requiredWhether seed needs a cold, moist spell before it will germinate.
- Propagation
- Bare root, container, seed, sprigsHow to start new plants.
- Seed
- ~0.0 million seeds per poundNotes on the seed and how to sow it.
- Seed spread rate
- SlowHow readily it self-sows. Slow or none means well-behaved, not a spreader.
- Seedling vigor
- LowHow strongly young seedlings establish.
- Vegetative spread
- NoneWhether it creeps outward or stays put in a clump.