Succulents Great and Small
Agave americana century plant.
A large succulent, 3 to 6 feet, 1 to 2m tall, tolerant of salt spray, high temperatures, and long drought.
Common name century plant comes from the long time it takes to flower but each large rosette of leaves lives from 10 to 30 years.
The native range is from the southern U.S.A. to Mexico.
Very variable plant and golden variegated forms have been popular.
A. americana is considered a serious environmental weed in many countries.
Agave attenuata foxtail agave
Similar to A. americana but smaller. Attenuate means to reduce, hence the specific name meaning smaller than A. americana. The common name refers to the shape of the flower.
A popular garden plant for dry gardens, 3 to 4 feet, 1 to 1.5m high, tolerates drought and full sun but does like a little shade during the day.
