Agave asperrima
Scabrous Century Plant
Item #: 6327
Zones: 7b to 10b
Dormancy: Evergreen
Height: 36" tall
Origin: Mexico, United States
Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)
(aka: Agave scabra) Agave asperrima hails from Southwestern Texas into Northern Mexico, where it grows from 1,500' - 6,000' elevation. The highland forms are winter hardy for us, while the lowland collections are not. When one of the winter hardy forms flowered at the JC Raulston Arboretum in Raleigh, we were able to grow out seedlings to offer. The 3' long, thick, silver-blue leaves are sandpapery on both the front and back, leading us to believe this is probably Agave asperrima ssp. asperrima. Each 3' tall x 5' wide rosette makes a lovely, fast offsetting clump. Agave asperrima is particularly sensitive to winter moisture, so plant it in a site that stays particularly dry in winter. For us, Agave asperrima flowers in about 15 years with a lovely 15-20' tall spike of bright yellow, panicled flowers.
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Other Attributes
Genus: Agave
Flower Color: Yellow/Gold
Leaf Color: Silver/Grey
Bloom Time: Spring
Container Role: Thrillers
Garden Themes: Living Wall , Rock Garden Plants , Southwest Garden Plants
Other: Drought Tolerant Plants , Hummingbird Plants , Pollinator Plants , Medicinal Plants , North American Native Plants , Ornamental Seed or Fruit , Plants that Attract Birds , Rabbit Resistant Plants , Salt Tolerant Seaside Plants , Texas Native Plants , Tropical Looking Plants , Xeriscaping Plants , Colored Foliage , United States Native Plants , House Plants