Clay / Heavy / Moist / Well Drained / Light / Sandy
More a succulent border perennial than a shrub because it does not develop permanent woody stems, Agave americana is a beautiful, highly architectural species, regarded by many as an indoor or seasonal plant for growing outdoors in summer. It eventually forms an enormous rosette of stiff, dangerously pointed leaves. It's known as the century plant as it supposedly takes 100 years to flower; typically it when about 30-40 years old, after which the main plant dies, leaving young offsets as successors.
Grow Agave americana in well-drained soil in full sun. When mature it will be able to cope with cold and frosts provided it's protected from winter wet. Young plants will need extra protection. Alternatively grow in a large container that you can move indoors in autumn.
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Agave and wildlife
Agave has no particular known value to wildlife in the UK.
