Agave americanaL.
American Agave , American Aloe , American Century Plant , Century Plant , Maguey , Mexican Soap Plant
Agave americanasubsp.americana , Agave rasconensis , Agave spectabilis , Agave variegata , Aloe americana
Photo by Arizona State University
class : AsparagaceaeSubfamily : AgavoideaeGenus : Agave
The specific epithet " americana(pronounced a - one thousand - ih - KAY - na ) " means " American " and refers to the origin of this species .
Agave americanais aboriginal toMexicoand the southernUnited States .
Photo by Arizona State University
Agave americanais a popularsucculentthat forms great , acaulescent or short - stanch rosettes of greyness - common to blue - green farewell with sharp borderline spines and a dark brown last sticker . The rosettes can reach up to 6 feet ( 1.8 m ) in height and 10 feet ( 3 meter ) in diam . The leaves are covered with a fine waxy efflorescence and can grow up to 6.6 feet ( 2 m ) long and 10 inches ( 25 centimeter ) wide .
Despite its common name , " Century Plant , " the rosette typically populate between 10 and 30 yr . Near the end of their aliveness , the rosettes send up a stout flower chaff branched near the top . The stalk can grow up to 30 feet ( 9 metre ) grandiloquent . The flowers are yellow or green - yellow , measuring up to 4 inches ( 10 centimeter ) long , and come about in panicles at the offset ends . The little potato die after flowering but make offset around the fundament , often mold a colony of new plants . The fruit are oblong capsules with a pointed gratuity and can grow up to 3.2 inch ( 8 cm ) long . They twist from immature to brown as they mature .
Light : Like allAgaves , this flora requires full sun to partial shade . If growingA. americanaindoors , choose a bright , sunny windowpane with as much sun as possible . From outflow to fall , it loves go bad outside .
Photo by Arizona State University
Soil : A. americanawill stomach most soils ifthey have good drainage , but it opt sandy or rocky soil .
Hardiness : During the growing time of year , it likes warm temperature , while in winter , when rest , this succulent enjoys cooler temperatures . A. americanacan withstand temperatures as low as10 to 50 ° degree Fahrenheit ( -12.2 to 10 ° C),USDA hardiness zones8a to 11b .
Watering : From spring to come down , water thoroughly when the soil becomes ironical . In winter , piddle meagerly about once a month . Plants in container require more frequent lacrimation than those in the ground .
Fertilizing : For the first two years , give yourA. americanaa small-scale amount of fertilizer in the springtime . accomplished plants seem to take care of themselves .
Repotting : If you note yourA. americanabecoming potty - bound , repot it with fresh ground in a slightly larger pot than the former one . Give the plant a week or so to readjust before you water it again .
Propagation : Since it can take years to bring out seeds , A. americanais commonly propagated by offset . The best time to remove the offsets is in fountain and summertime . Sow the seeds in bounce .
Learn more atHow to develop and deal for Agave .
A. americanais not toxic to human but may be gently poisonous to small fry and pets .
The juice of the plant life has antiseptic , wounding - healing , and anti - rabble-rousing properties . It has long been used in Central America to deal sunburn , bruises , modest cuts , injury , and peel irritation do by insect bites . The flush stalking and the base leaves can be roasted and take . A. americanais also a rootage of food . The bloom stem and the leaves can be cook and run through . In summation , a sweet succus wiretap from the flower stalks can be drunk or used to make an alcoholic beverage such as pulque .
get a line more atCentury Plant : Benefits , US , and Side Effects .
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