Havard's Century Plant

 

Havard's century plant has proven to be a beautiful, cold-hardy garden plant at the Demonstration Garden despite being native to the warmer climate of west Texas.

It grows as a rosette of succulent, triangular leaves with toothed edges, each ending in a sharp spine. Each leaf is a soft blue-green color, which creates a nice contrast when placed close to lighter colored rocks or gravel. 

This agave is very low-maintenance. Water it occasionally during summer and periodically remove debris that has collected at the base of the leaves with tongs. Since it doesn't lose its leaves in winter, it will create an architectural element in your landscape all year. 

Once Havard's century plant reaches maturity after growing for 20-40 years, it will produce a large flowering stalk with yellow flowers. After it flowers, the individual plant will die. 

 

 

 

Bluish-green agave plant with spiny leaves in a rosette shape, surrounded by rocks.
Close-up of succulent leaves with spiky edges and a prickly pear cactus in the background.
A large agave plant with bluish-green spiky leaves in a desert garden setting.
Close-up of an agave plant with grayish-green leaves and reddish-brown spines.
Close-up of a blue-green agave plant with spiky leaves and red spines.
Close-up of a bluish-green agave plant with sharp-tipped leaves and red-brown spines, set in a garden with other plants.
Close-up of an agave plant with greenish-blue, pointed leaves edged with spines.
Close-up of sharp, pointed agave leaves with bluish-green color and reddish tips.

Havard's Century Plant

 

Havard's century plant has proven to be a beautiful, cold-hardy garden plant at the Demonstration Garden despite being native to the warmer climate of west Texas.

It grows as a rosette of succulent, triangular leaves with toothed edges, each ending in a sharp spine. Each leaf is a soft blue-green color, which creates a nice contrast when placed close to lighter colored rocks or gravel. 

This agave is very low-maintenance. Water it occasionally during summer and periodically remove debris that has collected at the base of the leaves with tongs. Since it doesn't lose its leaves in winter, it will create an architectural element in your landscape all year. 

Once Havard's century plant reaches maturity after growing for 20-40 years, it will produce a large flowering stalk with yellow flowers. After it flowers, the individual plant will die. 

 

 

 

Plant details
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Botanic Name

Agave havardiana

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Pronunciation

uh-GAV-ay huh-VARD-ee-an-uh

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Mature Height

18-36 in.

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Mature Spread

18-36 in.

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Water usage
Water Usage

One Droplet: Water twice per month or less, once established.

Two Droplets: Water about once per week, once established.

Three Droplets: Water about twice per week, once established.

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Flower Color

yellow

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Bloom time

blooms once upon maturity (20-40 years), then dies

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Natural Habitat

West Texas

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Light Requirements

sun

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Cold Hardiness

USDA zones 5-10

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Elevation Limit

unknown

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