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Nursery - Products List - Agave North americana Blue
 
Agave North americana Blue - Blue Century Plant
Habit and Cultural Information
 
Category : Succulent
Family : Agavaceae (Agaves)
Origin : Mexico (North America)
Flower Color : Blue
Bloomtime : Not Significant
Evergreen : Yes
California Native Plant : Yes
Tolerates Drought : Yes
Height : 3-5 feet
Width : 4-6 feet
Exposure : Full Sun
Irrigation Req. : Low Water Needs
 
 
One of the most familiar species is Agave americana, a native of tropical America. Common names include Century Plant, Maguey (in Mexico), or American Aloe (it is not, however, closely related to the genus Aloe). The name "Century Plant" refers to the long time the plant takes to flower, although the number of years before flowering occurs depends on the vigor of the individual, the richness of the soil and the climate; during these years the plant is storing in its fleshy leaves the nourishment required for the effort of flowering. Agave americana, century plant, was introduced into Europe about the middle of the 16th century and is now widely cultivated for its handsome appearance; in the variegated forms the leaf has a white or yellow marginal or central stripe from base to apex. As the leaves unfold from the center of the rosette the impression of the marginal spines is very conspicuous on the still erect younger leaves. The tequ plants are usually grown in tubs and put out in the summer months, but in the winter require protection from frost. They mature very slowly and die after flowering, but are easily propagated by the offsets from the base of the stem.