Agave americana 'Marginata' (v)
century plant 'Marginata'
A large, evergreen succulent plant forming a stiff rosette of greyish green, yellow-margined leaves. The leaves are armed with hard spines along the margins and at the tip. Mature plants may produce a tall (2m) branched spike of yellow flowers. Makes a striking patio container plant but requires winter protection
Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metresTime to ultimate height
10–20 yearsUltimate spread
1–1.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green Yellow | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green Yellow | |||
| Autumn | Green Yellow | |||
| Winter | Green Yellow |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
ShelteredDrought resistance
Yes Hardiness
H2Botanical details
- Family
- Asparagaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Potentially harmful
- Skin irritant. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
- Genus
Agave can be perennial or monocarpic succulents, forming rosettes of usually rigid, fleshy, spiny-edged leaves, with funnel-shaped flowers in racemes or panicles often much taller than the rosettes
- Name status
Accepted
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow under glass in cactus compost, water freely when in growth, but keep almost dry over winter. Apply a dilute, liquid fertiliser 3 or 4 times during the growing season. Agaves are monocarpic and the main rosette will die after producing a very tall (2m) flower spike, however new offsets are produced at the base of the old rosette. See houseplant cacti and succulent cultivation for further advice
Propagation
Propagate by removing offsets in spring or autumn
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Coastal
- Gravel garden
- Mediterranean climate plants
- Patio and container plants
- Bedding
- Conservatory and greenhouse
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
May be susceptible to scale insects
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.