Growing Agave Americana (Century Plant): Easy Tips

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Hello and welcome to Brainy Gardener! Today it is all about how to grow and care for the Agave Americana. The Agave americana, commonly known as American Aloe or Century Plant, is a very popular evergreen succulent native to Mexico and the southwestern USA. It forms a large rosette of rigid and sturdy leaves. The blue-green leaves are edged with a row of sharp spines. It has fleshy, arching leaves that are grey-green or variegated colors, and can get up to ten feet wide and six feet tall. It has earned the prestigious Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society.
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RESOURCES & LINKS:
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Growing Agave Americana (Century Plant): Easy Tips
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Video Timestamps
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0:00 - Introduction
1:13- Light and Location
1:47 - Soil
2:17 - Watering
2:50- Temperature
2:59 - Humidity
3:10 - Fertilization
3:22 - Propagation
4:23 - Potting and Repotting
5:31 - Toxicity and Common Pests
6:43 - Note and Avoid
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Summary
The Agave americana, commonly known as American Aloe or Century Plant, is a very popular evergreen succulent native to Mexico and the southwestern USA. It forms a large rosette of rigid and sturdy leaves. The blue-green leaves are edged with a row of sharp spines. It has fleshy, arching leaves that are grey-green or variegated colors, and can get up to ten feet wide and six feet tall. It has earned the prestigious Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society. It is a monocarpic species that displays the flowers as a final act before dying.
1. Light and Location
The century plant is a sun-loving succulent that can tolerate partial shade more than some other varieties of Agave. The best location for this plant is in an area with full sun exposure during the day-ideally on an east-facing window sill where it will receive morning sunlight throughout most of the day.
2. Soil
The best soil for Agave americana is sandy loam, which is easy to maintain and provides the plant with plenty of nutrients. These plants thrive in well-draining soil. Be sure that your potting medium has excellent drainage so that you don’t damage the roots or root system by overwatering it.
3. Watering
Century plant are well-adapted to dry conditions and can withstand seasonal drought. Don't linger near these plants with a watering can; the century plant's large, thick leaves are made to store water during dry periods. However, they require occasional irrigation to keep their leaves healthy and vibrant. Water your Agave in the morning when it’s not too hot.
4. Temperature
The Century Plant thrives in temperatures from 55 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit and is extremely drought tolerant.
5. Humidity
It does well with lower humidity but can also tolerate as much as 60% humidity if your climate has this amount of moisture.
6. Fertilization
A century plant normally doesn't require fertilization. They thrive on nutrient-poor, sandy soil. Fertilizer feeding just shortens the plant's lifecycle by speeding up the process.
7. Propagation
Propagating Agave americana via offsets is a great way to increase your number of plants. It’s not difficult to do, but you must be patient and wait for offsets to appear as the plant matures. Remove the selected offset from the parent plant with a sharp knife or shears. Allow the freshly cut offsets to dry and callus over. Plant the dry fully healed offsets in a pot filled with fresh soil.
8. Potting and Repotting
Century plants can be planted in pots, but bear in mind that they will get very big when they are fully developed. You can grow it in a container or on the ground. The most important step when growing this plant is to choose the right location and care for it properly. Spring is the optimal time for repotting.
9. Toxicity and Common Pests
Century plant is mildly toxic to cats, dogs, and humans. Its sap can irritate the skin if it comes into contact. It is susceptible to Agave snout weevil, scale insects and slugs and snails.
10. Please Note and Avoid
Over-watering
Placing Under Harsh Sunlight
Using Poorly Drained Potting Mediums
Fertilizing During Dormancy
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