desert succulent
Desert agave
Agave deserti
Also known as Desert Century Plant, Century Plant
1 of 2Native to Arizona and California
Arizona, southern California and Mexico
- Light Full sun Sun tolerance
- Moisture Dry Moisture preference
- Zones n/a Cold to heat range
- Bloom Jan–Dec Flowering time
- Height up to 2 ft to 0.6 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 May. At up to 2 ft, it suits 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 Desert agave's yellow flowers bloom January to December, peaking in May. This late-spring display draws birds and hummingbirds.
Desert agave blooms yellowFoliage
Pollinators & wildlife
- Birds Red-tailed Hawk
also California Scrub-Jay, Western Tanager, Hooded Oriole +1 more
Scott's Oriole - Hummingbirds Costa's Hummingbird
- Beetles Tragidion agave
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
- Arizona and CaliforniaUnited States (2): AZ, CA. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
- Native distribution
- Arizona, southern California and MexicoThe same native range, usually more exact than the state list, and often noting where it has spread beyond it.
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
- Dry, rocky soilsThe soils it grows in naturally.
- Soil texture
- Light to heavy (sandy to clay)The soil grade it prefers, from sand to clay.
- Soil pH
- Mildly acid to mildly alkalineThe acidity to alkalinity it tolerates (7 is neutral).
- Soil quality
- Low (tolerates poor soil)How 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.
Growth & form
- Height
- up to 2 ft (to 0.6 m)Typical mature height.
- Spread
- ~1 ft (0.4 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
- ModerateA relative ranking versus other plants of the same type (USDA), not an absolute rate.
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.