Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Type
Cactus or Succulent
Succulent
Origin
Mexico
Southern Africa
Types
Agave americana subsp. americana
Agave americana subsp. protamericana Gentry
Agave americana var. expansa (Jacobi) Gentry
Agave americana var. oaxacensis Gentry
Limpopo, Prostrata, Aurea, Medio Picta
Number of Varieties
430
0
40000
👆🏻
Habitat
Desert, Hardwood forests, Hillside, Humid climates, Rocky Ridges, wastelands
Dry areas, Lower slopes, Rocky areas
USDA Hardiness Zone
8-1110-12
0
99
👆🏻
AHS Heat Zone
12-5
10-1
Sunset Zone
H1, H2, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Habit
Clump-Forming
Twisted/Contorted
Plant Size
Minimum Height
25.00 cm250.00 cm
0
3900
👆🏻
Minimum Width
90.00 cm121.00 cm
0
6350
👆🏻
Plant Color
Flower Color
Yellow green
Pink
Flower Color Modifier
-
-
Fruit Color
Tan
Green, Red
Leaf Color in Spring
Blue Green, Gray Green, Slate Gray, Gray
Green
Leaf Color in Summer
Blue Green, Gray Green, Slate Gray, Gray
Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Blue Green, Gray Green, Slate Gray, Gray
Green
Leaf Color in Winter
Blue Green, Gray Green, Slate Gray, Gray
Green
Shape
Leaf Shape
Long linear and narrow
Succulent
Thorns
✔
✘
✔
✘
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Growing Conditions
Sunlight
Full Sun
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Growth Rate
Medium
Fast
Type of Soil
Loam, Sand
Loam, Sand
The pH of Soil
Acidic, Neutral
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Drainage
Well drained
Well drained
Bloom Time
Summer
Late Spring
Repeat Bloomer
✔
✘
✔
✘
Tolerances
-
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Where to Plant?
Ground, Pot
Container, Ground, Pot
How to Plant?
Seedlings
Seedlings, Stem Planting
Plant Maintenance
Medium
Low
Watering Plants
Watering Requirements
Do not water frequently, Does not require lot of watering, Water occasionally
Average Water Needs, Needs less watering
In Summer
Lots of watering
Ample Water
In Spring
Moderate
Less Watering
In Winter
Average Water
Less Watering
Soil
Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Type
Loam, Sand
Loam, Sand
Soil Drainage Capacity
Well drained
Well drained
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Pruning
Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves
Prune if you want to improve plant shape, Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves, Remove dead or diseased plant parts
Fertilizers
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, Fertilize in early spring, Fertilize late winter
Pests and Diseases
Red blotch
Pests and diseases free
Plant Tolerance
Drought
Drought, Dry soil, Heat Tolerance
Flowers
Showy
Showy
Flower Petal Number
Single
Single
Fruits
Showy Fruit
✔
✘
✔
✘
Edible Fruit
✔
✘
✔
✘
Fragrance
Fragrant Flower
✔
✘
✔
✘
Fragrant Fruit
✔
✘
✔
✘
Fragrant Leaf
✔
✘
✔
✘
Fragrant Bark/Stem
✔
✘
✔
✘
Showy Foliage
✔
✘
✔
✘
Showy Bark
✔
✘
✔
✘
Foliage Texture
Bold
Bold
Foliage Sheen
Matte
Matte
Evergreen
✔
✘
✔
✘
Invasive
✔
✘
✔
✘
Self-Sowing
✔
✘
✔
✘
Attracts
Birds
Butterflies
Allergy
Skin irritation
-
Uses
Aesthetic Uses
Showy Purposes
Beautification, Bonsai, Showy Purposes
Beauty Benefits
-
Good for skin, Improve skin condition, Skin cleanser, Skin inflammation, Skin irritation, Skin Problems
Edible Uses
✔
✘
✔
✘
Environmental Uses
Air purification
Air purification, Erosion control, Food for birds, Indoor Air Purification, Prevent Soil Erosion, Shelter for wildlife, Wildlife
Plant Benefits
Medicinal Uses
constipation, Gastrointestinal disorders
Dehydration, Diabetes, Skin Disorders, Skin irritation, Sore throat
Part of Plant Used
Leaves, Sap, Seeds, Stem
Leaves, Stem
Other Uses
Pulp can be used to make rope place mats and other goods, Used in making beverages
Animal Feed, Showy Purposes, Used As Food, Used as Ornamental plant, Used for its medicinal properties, Used in salads
Used As Indoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Used As Outdoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Garden Design
Container, Feature Plant, Mixed Border, Rock Garden, Wall
Container, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Botanical Name
AGAVE americana
PORTULACARIA afra
Common Name
Century plant
Maguey
American aloe
Porkbush, Dwarf jade plant, Spekboom
In Hindi
अमेरिकी रामबांस
Elephant Bush
In German
amerikanische Agave
Elephant Bush
In French
Agave américaine
Elephant Bush
In Spanish
Agave americana
elefante Bush
In Greek
American αγαύη
ελέφαντας Μπους
In Portuguese
Agave americana
elefante de Bush
In Polish
Amerykański Agawa
Elephant Bush
In Latin
American Agave
bush elephant
Kingdom
Plantae
Plantae
Phylum
-
Embryophyta
Class
Liliopsida
Magnoliopsida
Order
Asparagales
Caryophyllales
Family
Agavaceae
Portulacaceae
Genus
Agave
Portulacaria
Clade
Angiosperms, Monocots
Angiosperms, Core eudicots, Eudicots
Tribe
-
-
Subfamily
Agavoideae
Portulacarioideae
Number of Species
1991
1
27800
👆🏻