How to identify Century plant (Agave americana)

How to identify Century plant (Agave americana)

Century plant, also known as American aloe, Sentry plant

Century plant is a striking perennial succulent with a rosette formation of rigid leaves. These gray-green leaves often exhibit a spiny margin and a sharp terminal point. Mature plants can take 10-25 years to bloom, producing a colossal flower stalk that can soar up to 15-30 feet (4.5-9 meters) high, resembling a narrow pole with horizontal branches near its apex. The plant displays panicles of greenish-yellow flowers, each 3-4 inches (7.6-10.2 cm) long, at the tips of these branches. Post-flowering, century plant produces vegetative offsets at its base, with the main plant ceasing to grow post blooming.

Lifespan: Perennial

Plant Type: Succulent, Herb

Leaf Type: Evergreen

Quickly Identify Century plant

Rosette formation of rigid, gray-green leaves with spiny margins and sharp terminal point.

Colossal flower stalk reaching 15-30 feet (4.5-9 meters) high with greenish-yellow flowers.

Panicles of 3-4 inch (7.6-10.2 cm) long flowers at branch tips post-blooming.

Spatulate to oblanceolate leaves, 3-7 feet (1-2 meters) long, grey to greyish blue in color.

Post-flowering, vegetative offsets form at the base; main plant ceases growth.

Detailed Traits of Century plant

Leaf Features

The leaves of century plant are long, fleshy, and arranged in rosettes of 20-40. Each leaf is spatulate to oblanceolate, smooth and hard, measuring 3-7 feet (1-2 meters) in length and 6-10 inches (15-25 cm) in width. Margins are undulate, toothed with hooked, initially dark brown teeth that turn grey, spaced 1-2 inches (2-5 cm) apart. A thick, conical terminal spine is 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) long, featuring a distinct groove. Leaves typically appear grey to greyish blue.

Leaf Apex

Acuminate

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Flower Features

Century plant produces a single flowering stalk, reaching 15-30 feet (4.5-9 meters) tall, that resembles a slender telephone pole with horizontal branching near the top. The greenish-yellow flowers, each 3-4 inches (7.6-10 cm) long, bloom in panicles at the branch ends. These vibrant flowers are arranged along the upper third to half of the stalk, forming a distinct panicle and typically appear after 10-35 years, depending on the climate. The blooming flowers are scentless and attract pollinators.

Learn About the Flower Glossary

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Century plant and Their Similar Plants

Foxtail agave vs. Century plant: What's The Difference?

Foxtail agave (Agave attenuata) is an agave species native to the State of Jalisco in central Mexico. Foxtail agave is a popular ornamental species in gardens in subtropical climates. This species grows best in loamy soil protected from direct sunlight. This species may die if it is exposed to prolonged periods of frost.

Butterfly agave vs. Century plant: What's The Difference?

Butterfly agave (Agave potatorum) is an evergreen perennial succulent that will grow to 61 cm tall. It forms a rosette with small, silvery-blue leaves. When the plant is about 10 years old it will produce a flower stalk that is 3 to 4.5 m tall with greenish-white flowers tinged with red. It thrives in full sun, hot conditions and well-drained soil.

Parry's Agave vs. Century plant: What's The Difference?

Parry's Agave (Agave parryi) is a flowering succulent native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Parry's Agave is considered slow-growing compared to other succulent species. It is often cultivated for use in desert-style landscaping, planted as ground cover, and kept as a houseplant. Parry's Agave requires full sunlight and minimal water for optimal growth. In the wild, it grows in scrublands, woodlands, and grasslands.

Tuberose vs. Century plant: What's The Difference?

The tuberose has a long history of providing fragrance to the world. Used in perfumery since the 17th century, tuberose was a scent worn by French Queen Marie Antoinette, and has continued to be used widely for its distinctive, although extremely strong, scent.

False aloe vs. Century plant: What's The Difference?

False aloe (Agave virginica) is a succulent species native to the eastern United States and Mexico. The false aloe attracts sphinx moths, bees, and hummingbirds. Agave virginica is also known as the rattlesnake master or the Virginia agave.

Thread agave vs. Century plant: What's The Difference?

Thread agave (Agave filifera) is a flowering agave species indigenous to Mexico. Thread agave is valued in ornamental outdoor gardens where it can be grown in containers. This species grows optimally with minimal handling by gardeners.

Whale's Tongue Agave vs. Century plant: What's The Difference?

Whale's Tongue Agave (Agave ovatifolia) is an evergreen succulent that is often cultivated in coastal gardens and succulent gardens for its rosette shape. Whale's Tongue Agave attracts hummingbirds. Caution should be exercised when planting this species near footpaths because its spikes can be dangerous to pets and children. Whale's Tongue Agave grows natively in northeastern Mexico in full sunlight and requires only small amounts of water.

Miniature agave vs. Century plant: What's The Difference?

Miniature agave (Agave pumila) is a slow-growing agave species of unknown origin. Miniature agave is valued as an ornamental species for its odd shape and is often grown as a houseplant or planted in rock gardens. This species is considered easy to grow and requires well-drained soil, like many similar succulents. It cannot tolerate freezing temperatures and grows best in the shade in the summer months.

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Key Facts About Century plant

Attributes of Century plant

Lifespan

Perennial

Plant Type

Succulent, Herb

Plant Height

1 m to 3 m

Spread

2 m to 3.5 m

Leaf Color

Green

Blue

Silver

Yellow

White

Gray

Flower Size

10 cm

Flower Color

Yellow

Green

White

Gold

Fruit Color

Brown

Green

Black

Stem Color

Green

Gray

Silver

Leaf type

Evergreen

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Scientific Classification of Century plant

Phylum

Class

Order

Family

Genus

Species

Century plant (Agave americana)

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Distribution Map of Century plant

Agave americana, commonly known as the century plant, is native to Mexico but widely distributed due to cultivation for its ornamental value. Across continents, it is cultivated and may be found across various regions in both hemispheres, suggesting a presence far beyond its native range. Century plant has naturalized in many areas and is sometimes thought to be invasive, potentially affecting local ecosystems through its robust growth and reproductive strategies. In certain areas within continents such as Africa, Asia, and Europe, century plant is considered invasive, where it may have an impact on native plant communities and biodiversity.

Native

Cultivated

Invasive

Potentially invasive

Exotic

No species reported

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A Comprehensive Guide to Century plant How to Grow and Care for Century plant