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agave americana varieties

Agave americana varieties are celebrated for their spectacular rosettes, drought tolerance, and striking architectural presence in both gardens and pots. These succulents bring a dramatic flair to New Zealand landscapes with their distinctive, often variegated leaves and impressive size. Whether you are new to agaves or a dedicated collector, exploring the different forms of Agave americana means discovering a wealth of beauty, texture, and colour for your outdoor or indoor plantings. Below, we take a closer look at some of the most popular and visually stunning Agave americana varieties available, along with tips for choosing the right one for your garden.

Agave attenuata plants with lush, succulent foliage.

Agave attenuata (Foxtail Agave)

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Agave attenuata (Foxtail Agave) is a highly ornamental succulent known for its smooth, spineless leaves and graceful rosettes. Unlike many agaves, it has soft, blue green foliage that forms elegant clumps, making it safer and easier to grow in home gardens. Its tall, arching flower spikes resemble foxtails, creating a dramatic feature in summer. Hardy and drought tolerant, Agave attenuata (Foxtail Agave) is ideal for NZ gardens where style, structure, and resilience are desired.

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate
Plant type: Succulents
Height: 1.00 m
Spread: 40 cm
Tolerances: Extended dry periods, Hardy
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Pool areas
Garden styles: Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Mediterranean, Modern, Tropical
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Agave americana variegata

Agave americana variegata, commonly known as the Variegated Century Plant, is a large succulent that features broad, powder-blue leaves with yellow stripes. It typically grows to 1.5 m tall and 2 m wide, growing best when planted on a well-drained site in full sun. Agave americana variegata makes for an attractive specimen and is great for including in mixed plantings, using in rock gardens, adding to Mediterranean themed gardens, or planting to stop pedestrians passing through an area.

Suited to regions: Alpine, Temperate
Plant type: Succulents
Height: 1.50 m
Spread: 2.00 m
Tolerances: Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy
Garden uses: Pool areas
Garden styles: Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Mediterranean, Modern, Rock
Agave americana mediopicta aurea plant with yellow and blue stripes.
Agave americana Mediopicta Aurea (Century Agave)

Agave Mediopicta Aurea is a variety of the commonly known, Century Agave, and is grown for its foliage and hardy nature. It grows as a rosette with...

OUT OF STOCK
Agave americana 'Mediopicta alba' plant with blue and white striped leaves.
Agave americana 'Mediopicta Alba'

Agave americana 'Mediopicta Alba' is a striking architectural succulent valued for its bold blue green leaves with a dramatic creamy white central...

OUT OF STOCK
Agave attenuata plants with lush, succulent foliage.
Agave attenuata (Foxtail Agave)

Agave attenuata (Foxtail Agave) is a highly ornamental succulent known for its smooth, spineless leaves and graceful rosettes. Unlike many agaves, it...

From$24.95
Beschorneria 'Flamingo Glow' plant with pink flowers and foliage variegated green and yellow.
Beschorneria 'Flamingo Glow'

Beschorneria 'Flamingo Glow' is an architectural evergreen prized for its variegated sword like leaves washed with soft gold and green tones. In...

From$37.19
bulbine-frutescens--1
Bulbine frutescens

Bulbine frutescens is a hardy evergreen perennial valued for its succulent like foliage and long lasting spikes of bright yellow or orange star...

From$19.50
Agave tequilana plants with metallic-blue coloured foliage.
Agave tequilana

Agave tequilana (Tequila Agave) is a bold and dramatic succulent best known as the source of tequila production in Mexico. It features striking...

From$29.95
Agave americana blue succulent in a rock garden.
Agave americana

Agave americana (Century Plant) is an iconic succulent renowned for its dramatic rosettes of large, grey green leaves with bold spines along the...

OUT OF STOCK
agave-parallelifolia-
Agave parallelifolia (Agave Plant)

Agave parallelifolia features upright and fleshy, mid-green leaves. These are held off a central stem as it grows to about 60 cm tall and 30 cm wide...

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Agave parryi huachucensis plant with light-blue leaves.
Agave parryi Huachucensis (Parrys Agave)

Agave parryi Huachucensis, commonly known as the Artichoke Agave and Parrys Agave, this variety features broad and stiff, powder green-blue leaves...

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Agave Blue Glow plant with blue leaves edged with red.
Agave Blue Glow (Agave Blue Plant)

Agave Blue Glow is grown for its foliage and hardy nature. This succulent produces rosettes of broad and rigid, fleshy, blue leaves with a golden-red...

OUT OF STOCK
Agave chrysantha plant growing in the desert.
Agave chrysantha (American Century Plant)

Agave chrysantha, commonly known as the American Century Plant, grows as a rosette with fleshy, powder blue leaves that radiate outwards from the...

OUT OF STOCK
Agave ovatifolia Frosty Blue plant with colourful, blue leaves.
Agave ovatifolia Frosty Blue (Whales Tongue Agave)

Agave ovatifolia Frosty Blue, commonly known as the Whales Tongue Agave, features broad and stiff, powder-blue leaves. It typically grows to 1 m tall...

OUT OF STOCK
Agave parryi plant with grey foliage.
Agave parryi

Agave parryi, commonly known as Parry’s Agave, features broad and stiff, silver-blue, powdery leaves. The broad and fleshy leaves are held as a loose...

OUT OF STOCK
Agave Cream Spike plant in a pot with variegated leaves.
Agave Cream Spike

Agave Cream Spike is grown for its foliage and hardy nature. It grows as a rosette with fleshy, powder blue leaves with a golden edge. The leaves...

OUT OF STOCK
agave-desmettiana-variegata-4
Agave desmettiana Variegata

Agave desmettiana Variegata features long and broad, variegated leaves. The fleshy, mid-green leaves with a yellow edge are held as a loose rosette...

OUT OF STOCK
Agave ovatifolia plant with large, blue leaves.
Agave ovatifolia

Agave ovatifolia, commonly known as the Whale’s Tongue Agave, features broad and stiff, powder-blue leaves. It typically grows to 1 m tall and the...

OUT OF STOCK
Agave havardiana plant with large, blue leaves.
Agave havardiana

Agave havardiana, commonly known as the Harvard Agave, features broad and stiff, silver-grey leaves. The broad and fleshy leaves are held as a loose...

OUT OF STOCK
Agave parryi Truncata plant with large, grey-blue leaves.
Agave parryi Truncata

Agave parryi Truncata, commonly known as the Artichoke Agave, features broad and stiff, powder blue leaves. It typically grows to 80 cm tall and 1 m...

OUT OF STOCK
echeveria-agavoides-
Echeveria agavoides

Echeveria agavoides, commonly known as the Lipstick Echeveria, is a succulent with a great form and impressive colourings. It grows as rosette of...

OUT OF STOCK
Agave parrasana plant with large and fleshy, blue leaves.
Agave parrasana

Agave parrasana, commonly known as the Cabbage Head Agave, features short and erect, powder-blue leaves. The broad and fleshy leaves are held as a...

OUT OF STOCK
Agave nickelsiae plant in a garden.
Agave nickelsiae

Agave nickelsiae features short and stiff, dark olive-green leaves with white stripes. Mature plants may produce a flower spike that can reach up to...

OUT OF STOCK
Agave Kissho Kan plant with colourful leaves.
Agave Kissho Kan (Butterfly Agave)

Agave Kissho Kan, commonly known as the Butterfly Agave, is grown for its foliage and hardy nature. It grows as a rosette with thick and fleshy...

OUT OF STOCK
Beschorneria 'Reality' plants with variegated foliage for sale at The Plant Company.
Beschorneria 'Reality'

Beschorneria 'Reality' is a bold evergreen admired for its strong rosette form and tall flower spikes that emerge in warm seasons. With broad sword...

OUT OF STOCK
Agave attenuata Boutin Blue plants with large, blue foliage.
Agave attenuata 'Boutin Blue' (Blue Fox Tail)

Agave attenuata 'Boutin Blue' is a stunning succulent prized for its soft, spineless leaves in an attractive blue grey shade. Forming elegant...

OUT OF STOCK
Agave decipiens plant with large green leaves.
Agave decipiens (Sisal Agave)

Agave decipiens is a striking architectural succulent valued for its upright growth habit and dense rosettes of narrow green leaves. Unlike many...

OUT OF STOCK
Agave Joe Hoak plant with colourful green and yellow foliage.
Agave Joe Hoak (Agave desmettiana)

Agave Joe Hoak is grown for its foliage and hardy nature. This Agave desmettiana variety grows as a rosette with fleshy leaves that are variegated...

OUT OF STOCK
Agave montana plant with elegant, green leaves.
Agave montana

Agave montana, commonly known as the Mountain Agave, this variety features broad and stiff, dark green leaves. The broad and fleshy leaves are held...

OUT OF STOCK
agave-victoriae-reginae-
Agave victoriae-reginae

Agave victoriae-reginae is one of the most sought after ornamental agaves, prized for its perfectly symmetrical rosette of dark green leaves marked...

OUT OF STOCK
Agave chiapensis plant with fresh-green foliage.
Agave chiapensis

Agave chiapensis (Mexican Agave) is a rare and attractive agave species native to southern Mexico, prized for its broad, glossy green leaves and...

OUT OF STOCK
Beschorneria yuccoides flax-like plant with blue-green leaves and large pink flowers.
Beschorneria yuccoides

Beschorneria yuccoides (Mexican Lily) is an architectural evergreen valued for its sculptural rosettes of sword like foliage and tall coral toned...

OUT OF STOCK
Agave attenuata (Foxtail Agave)

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You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Agave, Beschorneria, and Bulbine, or related Categories - Flaxes, Perennials, and Succulents.

Search agave americana

Understanding Agave americana

The remarkable Agave americana, often known as the century plant, is famed for its bold structure and resilience. Native to Mexico, this species is highly sought after for its ability to thrive in full sun and poor soils, making it perfect for coastal gardens and dry spots in the landscape. All Agave americana varieties are slow-growing perennials with sharp, pointed leaves arranged in graceful rosettes, often reaching over a metre in height and diameter.

Popular Agave americana varieties

One of the most widely grown forms is Agave americana variegata, known for its broad blue-green leaves edged with bold, yellow stripes. Its striking variegation makes it a true eye-catcher in succulent borders and pots, providing year-round interest.

Another attractive cultivar is Agave americana var Franzosinii. This grand variety showcases wide, powdery-blue leaves with softer spines, making it one of the largest and most sculptural agaves you can grow in New Zealand. Its graceful, arching foliage adds instant drama to modern and Mediterranean-inspired gardens.

For gardeners who love unusual foliage, Agave americana Mediopicta Aurea (Century Agave) features broad, green leaves with a rich golden-yellow stripe running through the centre. Its upright, symmetrical growth pattern makes it a stylish focal point in large pots or feature garden beds.

There's also Agave americana 'Mediopicta Alba', which displays cool blue leaves with a striking creamy-white central stripe. This variety is especially popular for creating contrasts in succulent plantings or providing a bright accent among darker foliage.

Growing and caring for Agave americana varieties

All Agave americana varieties thrive in free-draining soils, full sun, and require minimal watering once established. They're highly resistant to coastal winds and salt spray, making them ideal for New Zealand’s exposed gardens. When planting these varieties, give them plenty of space to show off their dramatic form and avoid areas with heavy, clay soils. Protection from extreme frosts in colder regions is recommended, especially for young plants.

Add agave beauty to your landscape

With so many appealing Agave americana varieties to choose from, there’s an option to suit every garden style and size. Whether you opt for classic blue-green forms or bold variegated cultivars, these eye-catching succulents offer trouble-free beauty for years to come. Ready to explore even more stunning agaves? Discover Agave americana variegata, Agave americana var Franzosinii, Agave americana Mediopicta Aurea (Century Agave), or Agave americana 'Mediopicta Alba' to find your new landscape favourite.


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