Agave Americana 100 Seeds

Agave americana, a rosette-forming perennial succulent native to Mexico, is a captivating plant known for its infrequent yet spectacular flowering spikes. Each plant typically develops a large, evergreen basal rosette of thick, succulent, lanceolate, gray-green leaves, which can reach up to 6' tall and 8-10' wide. The leaves possess a waxy bloom, a spiny tip, and sharp marginal spines, adding to the plant's unique charm.

Despite the common name "century plant," suggesting a lifespan of 100 years, Agave americana typically blooms between the 10th and 25th years in outdoor settings. Indoor plants, however, rarely flower. When the plant does bloom, it sends up a single, stout, erect flowering stalk from the center of the basal rosette, reaching a height of 15-30' or more. This flowering stalk resembles a narrow telephone pole with horizontal branching near the top, upon which greenish-yellow flowers (each measuring 3-4" long) bloom in panicles at the branch ends.

Over time, suckers or offsets root at the base of each rosette, often forming a colony of new plants. Once a plant flowers and dies, the offsets around the base of the plant continue to grow, ensuring the perpetuation of the species.

Agave americana thrives in a sandy/gritty, well-drained soil with dry to medium moisture, in full sun. Container plants may be grown in a gritty, cactus-type potting mix, with good soil drainage being essential to prevent root rot. The plant tolerates dry soils and drought, making it a resilient choice for gardeners.

In regions where it is winter hardy (zones 8-12), Agave americana serves as an interesting tropical accent or specimen plant, adding a striking and showy presence to the landscape. It is often grown in cactus or succulent garden areas, where it can be appreciated for its unique and captivating features.

The seeds of Agave americana prefer moist, well-drained soil. To sow them, a mixture of half potting soil and half sand, perlite, or vermiculite can be prepared and placed in a pot. The seeds should then be watered, allowing the soil to remain consistently moist throughout the germination and early growth stages.

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