.Prices starting at $3.00 There's a lot of variety in the agave genus. There are the large, stiff specimens that can grow to 10 feet or more in height and width. And there are the small, dish-sized agaves, as well as a few agave species with soft leaves and no spines. Agave foliage tends toward a blue-green in hardier varieties and a gray-green in warm-climate varieties. There are also some that are variegated with gold or white markings.
It's typically best to plant this slow-growing succulent in the spring or early fall. When agave matures after several years or even several decades, a tall flower stalk often grows out of the plant’s center. The flowers are bell-shaped and long-lasting in shades of white, yellow, and green. For most agave species, once the flowers produce berry seed pods, the plant dies. The sap of agave is toxic both to people and pets.1
| Common Name | Agave, century plant |
| Botanical Name | Agave |
| Family | Asparagaceae |
| Plant Type | Perennial, succulent |
| Mature Size | 1–20 ft. tall, 1–10 ft. wide (depends on variety) |
| Sun Exposure | Full |
| Soil Type | Sandy, well-drained |
| Soil pH | Acidic, neutral |
| Bloom Time | Varies — most plants only bloom once in their lifetime |
| Flower Color | Green, white, yellow |
| Hardiness Zones | 5–11, USA |
| Native Area | North America, Central America, South America |