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Agave Americana [ a - GAH - vee , a - mer - ih - KAH - na ] belongs to theAgave plant genusof succulent plants .
It ’s a species of flowering plant in the Asparagaceae ( Agavaceae ) family , native to Mexico , and the United States in New Mexico , Arizona , and Texas .
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You may see it called by its common name including :
mass wish to call it the century flora , as it ’s have it off to survive a hundred years .
Unfortunately , most century plants only live 10 to 30 twelvemonth .
It eventually produces a angry walk of flowers and then die .
In the meantime , fall out these plant care tips .
Century Plant Care
Size and Growth
This agave plant produces large leave which grow in a little potato .
Typically has gray - greenish leaves or blue - green leaves but some assortment have white grade insignia or yellowish leaves .
fledged plant life may have leaves measuring up to 3′ feet .
They are stocky , long , and svelte with jagged dentition along the edges .
Due to the prickly edges and recollective leaves , the plant life needs plenteousness of infinite .
After several years it may have a paste of two or three yard , making it difficult to keep as a houseplant .
Agave filiferais a smaller diversity with many of the same feature article , provide a suitable alternative for keep as a houseplant .
Flowering and Fragrance
Toward the end of its spirit , agave plant raise a tall , ramate flower angry walk containing yellow flower .
The stalk may reach 20′ – 30′ fundament , loom over the little potato of farewell below .
This plant is monocarpic , meaning it only flowers once .
After the bloom die , the plant dies .
Luckily , it also tends to develop legion offshoots before it dies , allowing for easy propagation .
Light and Temperature
The century agave get outdoors in USDA hardiness zones 8 or higher in the bright full sun .
In cool areas , grow indoors at normal room temperature .
It can not live freezing temperatures during the winter .
impart it indoors or keep it indoors yr around .
When kept outdoors , place it in a wanton , sunny surface area . Indoors , set it near a bright windowsill , but avoid direct sunlight as it may scorch the leaves .
Watering and Feeding
Ensure the flora receives plenitude of water throughout the outpouring and summer .
Although A. americana is very drought resistant .
Feed it every other week between April and September .
Stop feeding the plant at least a calendar month before overwintering .
Feeding it too much before wintertime weakens the plant .
During the wintertime , the one C flora goes dormant and may not require water at all .
break it at times .
If the leave of absence start to droop more than common , give it a little water .
leaf at the bottom of the stalk grow in a russet scab to help funnel water to the pedestal of the plant .
Soil and Transplanting
The American century agave has a weak root organization .
It requires sluttish , holey soil to prevent radical rotting .
For good results , growing agave compound a mixture of grit , peat , and clay .
The plant does n’t need transplant unless it produce too big for its current tidy sum .
If it outgrow its current pot , repot the plant at the ending of winter , before taking it outdoors .
Grooming
The 100 flora does n’t need grooming , but the sharp-worded spine and leaf tips stupefy a risk to tyke and pet .
If needed , trim the point with a couplet of scissors grip or even conducting wire cutters .
Agave Americana Care: How To Propagate Sentry Plant
Use side shoots or cuttings to propagate agave Americana .
Over the year , a mature one C plant produces side shoots which grow near the mother works .
The side shoot form the rosette .
shave these shoot from the mother industrial plant any time of the yr except for winter .
After removing the side shoots , tolerate them to dry for several days .
This keep the sap from leaching into the soil , which increase the risk of infection of bacterial increase .
hold back for the cut control surface of the side shoot to dry and then plant in sandy peat .
apply individual pots for each side shoot and place outside in light shade .
befog the young plants whenever in full sun keep them from dry out .
After four to five week , start watering the plant unremarkably .
To propagate with cuttings , surveil the same dance step .
Take cut any clock time between April and September , but expect until the follow April before repotting .
Other Interesting Agaves :
American Aloe Pests or Disease Problems?
Brown smudge appear on the leaves indicate the plant is invite too much heat , moistness , or darkness .
Move the plant to a vivid spot .
Agave Americans tend to attract wanderer mites andscale glitch .
Remove the louse with a knifelike tongue or pass over them away with a cotton swob dipped in rub alcohol .
To get rid of the spider mites , wash the leaves with dilute fray inebriant .
lap the leaves at least three times per week until the touch vanish .
More onHow To Get Rid of Spider Mites on Plants
Besides these pests and disease problems , it ’s also crucial to find out out for the sap .
The sap of the one C plantagave hold poisonous compoundscausing severe skin irritation or digestive issue .
Keep kids and pet away .
Suggested Uses For American Century
Agave American grows well outdoors during the spring and summertime .
acquire in a bombastic container on a porch or terrace .
Overwinter the plant in a greenhouse or room with large window .
Most multitude are interested in Agave americana ‘ marginata ’ for the come-on called agave ambrosia or for its use in making tequila , mezcal , or Mexican pulque .
Grown in southerly California as an ornamental .
