American Agave, American Aloe, Century Plant


Photo: Doug Bickerton, SA Department for Environment & Heritage		American Agave, American Aloe, Century Plant Agave americana Succulent Plants Western Australia Region

	This plant has grey, sharp-tipped, strap-like leaves which form rosettes about 1.8 m wide. Its common name is Century Plant, due to the mistaken belief that it only flowers once every 100 years. In fact, after 10 years, it produces pale yellow flowers on a very tall, branched stem.

HOW IT SPREADS Its spread is mainly vegetative with new plants arising from stolons and from dislodged plant fragments. Commonly naturalized around old rural homesteads and coastal shacks, it has since spread to form dense, almost impenetrable thickets along roadsides and in coastal vegetation.

Alternative Plants


Photo: Macbird Floraprint		Agave, Century Plant Agave attenuata Succulent Plants

	With and upright habit and heads to 0.9 m wide on stems up to 1.5 m, this plant has high architectural appeal. Clumping habit when young, this plant is an ideal specimen for pots and a very popular accent plant. Extremely hardy and can withstand extremes in temperature.

Photo: Andrew Smith, Warners Nurseries		Cabbage Tree Cordyline australis species and cultivars Trees and Shrubs

	Cordylines are hardy, erect, palm-like trees from New Zealand. They are easy care, generally unbranched and develop a broad crown of spreading sword-like pointed leaves. Plant in a full-sun or partshade position and protect from heavy frosts while young. There are many new and improved colourful cultivars now available. For more information visit your local garden centre.

Photo: © immij pty ltd		Spineless Yucca, Soft Tipped Yucca Yucca elephantipes Trees and Shrubs

	A small, evergreen tree and one of the most versatile indoor and outdoor foliage plants. It develops a thick, branching trunk reminiscent of an elephant's foot. Mid-greed leaves are leathery and finely toothed. Adaptable to a wide range of climates and conditions, it is drought, salt and frost tolerant. This plant has high architectural appeal.