The Agave Americana plant also goes by the name Century plant and is very unique in appearance. It has no stem, but rather has large grayish-blue/green leaves that stem from a basal rosette.
These leaves can grow as long as 6 feet and up to 10 inches wide. They have sharp spines along the edges and on the tips of the leaves.
The margin spines curve like fishhooks, while the spines on the tip of each leaf can get up to an inch long. From the center of the Century plant grows a large stalk. It can grow 20-40 feet tall and has large yellow-green flowers at the top.
There are several varieties of the Agave Americana (see Agave Americana image above). One has a large yellow stripe down the center of each leaf, while another has yellow margins around the edge of each leaf. Other varieties are entirely striped.
The Century plant originates in the arid plains of Mexico. It can also be found in certain areas of the Mediterranean and in parts of Africa and Europe. It grows very well in dry, sandy, or gravelly soil. The soil must be very well drained and preferably acidic. Century plants need full sunlight and they are very tolerant of droughts. It should be planted in late spring or summer, so that it has time to get established before any frost.
Although they are called Century plants, they do not actually take a century to bloom. However, it does take up to 10 years for blooms to appear in warmer climates.
In colder regions, the plant can wait as long as 60 years before blooming! Once the plant blooms, it dies, but leaves behind many offshoots throughout its lifetime.
The Agave Americana can be used for many things. In Central America, these plants are often used as fencing.
The sharp spines keep animals in and people out.
They are also used as ornamental plants in desert or rock gardens. However, they must be tended or they will quickly overtake any area in which they are grown.
They can be kept smaller by being planted in containers, but should only be watered in the summer.
Sap from the Century plant can be used as a diuretic or laxative. The leaves can be broken and the juice inside is good for healing bruises.
It can also be ingested to help indigestion, flatulence, dysentery, jaundice, and constipation. A derivative from the leaves is also used to product steroid hormones.
The base of the Century plant, as well as the flower stalk can be roasted and eaten. They are sweet and full of fiber. The seeds are often ground into flour and used as a thickener for soups or to make bread.
There are also types of beer and tequila that can be made from the Agave plant. Gum from the roots and leaves can be used to help treat a toothache.
The Agave Americana is a hardy plant that requires minimal care. It has many uses and functions that make it a worthwhile asset to many individuals. However, due to their large size, they are not ideal for every garden or landscape.
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