Agave asperrima - 15ga

This plant listing is for reference only.

Agave asperrima, commonly known as Rough Century Plant, is a medium to large agave native to the Chihuahuan Desert region of northern Mexico and adjacent areas of southwestern Texas, where it grows on open plains, ridges, and canyon slopes at elevations of roughly 4,000 to 7,200 feet. It forms robust rosettes typically 3 to 4 feet tall and 4 to 5 feet wide, composed of thick blue-gray leaves that can reach up to 3 feet long. The leaves are deeply channeled along their length, taper to a long dark brown terminal spine, and are armed with large, widely spaced marginal teeth. A defining feature is the rough, sandpaper-like texture on the undersides of the leaves, which, together with the strong guttering, makes the species readily identifiable. Plants offset freely and can form substantial clumps over time. Flowering occurs only once after many years, often around 15 years of age, when a tall inflorescence 15 to 20 feet high is produced, bearing bright yellow flowers attractive to birds and insects; the flowering rosette then dies, replaced by offsets. The species name asperrima means “very rough,” referring to the coarse foliage, and it was formerly known in cultivation as Agave scabra before taxonomic clarification reassigned that name. In cultivation it requires full sun, excellent drainage, and very little supplemental water once established, tolerating summer drought well. It is cold hardy to around 15°F when kept dry, making it suitable for mild winter climates. Due to its size, sharp armament, and caustic sap, it is best used as a bold specimen in large dry gardens or desert landscapes, well away from paths and high-traffic areas.