Century Plant Plant Care
Agave vivipara L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Agave angustifolia is a species of agave plant which is native to Mexico and Central America. It is used to make mezcal and also as an ornamental plant.
Every 14–21 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–85°F
10–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Century Plant?
Water Century Plant every 14–21 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–85°F (10–29°C) and 10–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 8 months during the growing season. It is reported as toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of pets.
Where Is the Century Plant Native To?
What Is the Century Plant?
Century Plant (Agave vivipara) belongs to the Asparagaceae family within the Agave genus. Century Plant is native to Mexico and Central America. Century Plant is also known as Agave.
Century Plant displays a rosette-forming succulent growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 8 ft. Century Plant produces tall spikes with yellow, green, or white flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 36 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Century Plant?
Agave vivipara requires watering every 14–21 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 14–21 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Century Plant Need?
Century Plant thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Century Plant Prefer?
Agave vivipara grows best at temperatures of 50–85°F. Century Plant prefers humidity levels of 10–60%.
Temperature
50–85°F
Humidity
10–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Century Plant?
Sandy, well-draining soil mix with added perlite and gravel. Good drainage is essential for Century Plant to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Century Plant?
Feed Century Plant every 8 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 8 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Century Plant?
Repot every 2-3 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Century Plant?
Century Plant can be propagated through pups, offsets, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to blue agave plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Century Plant Toxic to Pets and Children?
Toxic (caution)
Reported as toxic in our plant data. Not verified by the ASPCA.
Mildly toxic to humans and pets, can cause skin irritation
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Century Plant?
Century Plant is susceptible to agave snout weevil, agave mite, scale insects. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Century Plant Need?
Century Plant grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Century Plant is native to Mexico and Central America. In cooler regions, grow Century Plant as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Century Plant is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Agave genus — compare its care with other Agave species on PlantoScan.
Agave is part of the Asparagaceae plant family — browse all Asparagaceae genera and species.
Century Plant thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Agave vivipara L., family Asparagaceae (first published in Sp. Pl. : 323 (1753)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Century Plant is reported as toxic to pets in our plant data (not verified by the ASPCA), so treat it with caution. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 12a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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