Century plant care guide
Agave americana
Also known as: American agave, Variegated century plant
Pets and children
Caution advised
The hard leaf tips pierce deeply and the sap causes skin rashes; eating it can bring vomiting or diarrhea, so plant it away from paths and consult a veterinarian or doctor if swallowed.
How often to water Century plant
- Spring–Summer (Mar–Sep)
- Every 10 days
- A summer grower: in a pot, water well a few days after the soil dries out; in the ground, rain is usually enough.
- Autumn (Oct–Nov)
- Every 14 days
- As it cools, water roughly one to two weeks after the soil dries.
- Winter (Dec–Feb)
- Every month
- Growth stops: keep pots nearly dry with a light watering about once a month, and give plants in the ground none, as a guide.
Light and placement for Century plant
A spot outdoors in all-day sun and moving air, as a guide; it grows large, so it suits a garden bed or a big pot on a balcony rather than a room, where light is usually too weak, and it takes full summer sun.
Overwintering Century plant
Overwintering guide: −5°C (23°F) or above
On the Kanto and Kansai plains it generally overwinters outdoors, taking about -5°C when dry; variegated forms are a little more tender, so keep them under the eaves out of frost and wind, as a guide.
Fertilizing and repotting Century plant
Fertilizer
It needs almost no feeding: about a small dose of slow-release fertilizer in spring, or none in the ground; overfeeding makes soft growth that suffers in cold.
When to repot
Spring–Summer (Mar–Sep)
Common problems with Century plant
- Planted without room to grow, its spines end up over a path or against a wall.
- Grown indoors, it lacks light and the leaves droop and scar.
- In heavy soil it rots over winter.
Tips for growing Century plant
- In a pot, move it up one size every few years to keep it shapely.
- Snipping the spine tips makes it easier to live with near walkways.
- Offsets around the base can be removed and grown on.
These are AI-generated general guidelines. They vary with the variety, the placement and the pot size. For effects on pets or children, consult a veterinarian or a doctor.
Keep your plant log going
Greenery is a free app that keeps your plant care going, with watering reminders and photo records. Available on iOS and Android.
