Agave, Caribbean, Century Plant, Mescal Agave, Narrowleaf Agave 'Marginata'
Agave angustifolia
Family: | Asparagaceae |
Genus: | Agave (a-GAH-vee) (Info) |
Species: | angustifolia (an-gus-tee-FOH-lee-uh) (Info) |
Cultivar: | Marginata |
Additional cultivar information: | (aka Variegata) |

Category:
Cactus and Succulents
Water Requirements:
Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping
Sun Exposure:
Full Sun
Foliage:
Grown for foliage
Good Fall Color
This plant is resistant to deer
Foliage Color:
Blue-Green
Chartreuse/Yellow
Height:
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)
36-48 in. (90-120 cm)
Spacing:
18-24 in. (45-60 cm)
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)
36-48 in. (90-120 cm)
4-6 ft. (1.2-1.8 m)
Hardiness:
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
Where to Grow:
Grow outdoors year-round in hardiness zone
Danger:
Plant has spines or sharp edges; use extreme caution when handling
Bloom Color:
Chartreuse (yellow-green)
Dark Purple/Black
Bloom Characteristics:
This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds
Bloom Size:
Bloom Time:
Mid Summer
Other details:
May be a noxious weed or invasive
Soil pH requirements:
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Patent Information:
Non-patented
Propagation Methods:
By dividing rhizomes, tubers, corms or bulbs (including offsets)
From seed; germinate in vitro in gelatin, agar or other medium
From bulbils
This plant is monocarpic
Seed Collecting:
Allow pods to dry on plant; break open to collect seeds
Regional
This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:
Eufaula, Alabama
Lillian, Alabama
Orange Beach, Alabama
Fountain Hills, Arizona
Meadview, Arizona
Phoenix, Arizona
Tucson, Arizona(3 reports)
Bostonia, California
El Cerrito, California
Encino, California
Hidden Valley Lake, California
Irvine, California
Pomona, California
Reseda, California
San Dimas, California
San Leandro, California
Sun Valley, California
Valley Center, California
Yorba Linda, California
Boynton Beach, Florida
Brandon, Florida
Cape Canaveral, Florida
Clearwater, Florida
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Miami, Florida
New Port Richey, Florida
Niceville, Florida
Oldsmar, Florida
Orlando, Florida
Palm Coast, Florida
Patrick Afb, Florida
Pompano Beach, Florida
Saint Augustine, Florida
Venice, Florida(2 reports)
Vero Beach, Florida
Weston, Florida
Winter Springs, Florida
Kealakekua, Hawaii
Lake Charles, Louisiana(2 reports)
Metairie, Louisiana
Vacherie, Louisiana
Kansas City, Missouri
Henderson, Nevada
Las Vegas, Nevada
Grenoble, Rhône-Alpes
Summerville, South Carolina
Arlington, Texas
Austin, Texas
Harlingen, Texas
San Benito, Texas
show allGardeners' Notes:
Rating | Content |
---|---|
Positive | On Mar 31, 2018, DMichael from Fort Lauderdale, FL wrote: Agave angustifolia var. ‘marginata’ is one of only a dozen or so Agave sp. that will perform well in Ft Lauderdale, FL’s subtropical / tropical 10b climate, and is one of the most attractive Agave species which can be grown here. |
Positive | On Feb 6, 2016, opal92nwf from Niceville, FL wrote: I saw a beautiful specimen at a big box store in the houseplant section, I had to get it. Although from what research I did at the time I learned that it might not be cold hardy enough for my zone 8b. It thrived for a few years, and I would cover it when it would get into the low 20's and below. |
Positive | On Oct 29, 2015, MikeRath from Austin, TX wrote: I have raised Agave angustifolia 'Marginata' plants for about 7 years. I have found them very easy to take care of. They are not invasive if you take the time to separate the pups from the mother plant. You need to use thick leather gloves and a long sleeved shirt when pruning or moving these plants and out of doors if they are potted. I am amazed how many people had the similar idea to prune their plants with a chainsaw. I've pruned mine with long pruners or even hand pruners with no issues. When I brought potted plants indoors for the winter I cut off all the razor sharp terminal spines beforehand. Sadly I have planted all 3 of our formerly potted 'Marginatas' outside knowing they will not survive Austin's occasional below freezing temperatures. My wife wants less houseplants and I have ... read more |
Positive | On Nov 12, 2011, jerrytate from Lake Charles, LA wrote: beautiful and fast growing. |
Positive | On Oct 10, 2011, jerrytate from Lake Charles, LA wrote: extremely fast growing and beautiful. here in s.w. louisiana, from a 4" big box purchase to a full 1x1 sphere with suckers in 7 months. |
Neutral | On Jun 5, 2011, sugarmae from Hancock, MI (Zone 5a) wrote: I was watching the 1951 scifi movie, "the thing from another world", and it was mentioned that the century plant eats mice. Is this true? |
Negative | On Nov 22, 2010, IMAMano from Scottsdale, AZ wrote: Use caution when trimming or removing as the sap can cause considerable pain, itching and blistering when it gets on your skin as I learned two days ago. |
Negative | On May 16, 2010, TexasPuddyPrint from Edinburg, TX wrote: This plant might be pretty to look at but I found out what a demon it is! Talk about the pain of hell and being on fire! YIKES!!! I had a friend cut back one that was growing in the back alley by my fence gate. I had no problem moving piling up the leaves but when I got the hose to rinse out the pole saw that debris splashed over my hands and arms. Talk about instant pain! My arms and hands were itching and burning! It felt 100 times worse than when you handle fiberglass! This reminds me getting zapped by an asp caterpillar!!! |
Negative | On Apr 14, 2010, portorangeflorida from Port Orange, FL wrote: I didn't know anything about this plant before I tried to prune it with a chainsaw. What a mistake. My legs and stomach were covered with an instant burn and soon after red and blisters. I have looked and looked for some answers to help ease the pain and a remedy but not much luck other than 4 weeks to heal. Any help or information would be greatly appreciated. I live in the Daytona Beach, Florida area. |
Neutral | On Oct 26, 2009, rancherrich from Austin, TX wrote: I have Agaves in my front yard and at my ranch where i am cultivating them for sale. I actually really like the plants. They are easy to grow and maintain. Beware of Agave beetles, however. They can devastate a stand of plants in a matter of days! I found only one place in the US that sells the granules that will kill the beetles and it was in PA of all places. |
Positive | On Dec 26, 2008, mikey51h from Palm Coast, FL wrote: This plant will grow just about anywhere there is at least 5 hours of full sun and in a relatively dry location with good drainedge, growing at a moderate rate to about 3-4 feet high and about the same in width when fully mature. It will do well if applied with a well balanced fertilizer (12-12-12) 1 to 2 times per month during the spring and summer. Cold tolerant down to about 30°. Will send out pups for easy propagation. I find this to be an exceptional decorative and ornamental plant. However, the only downfall is its spines and very sharp leaf tips. Some people find the sap to be toxic. Use care and caution when handling and transplanting. Thick leatherpalm gloves up to the elbow is a good choice. |
Negative | On Mar 19, 2008, jckristafer from San Francisco, CA (Zone 10a) wrote: Agave is a beautiful plant, but be careful! My mother recently cut some down with a chain saw, only to find that that she is very allergic to its juice. Some splattered on her legs and very quickly it began to burn, and eventually blistered. |
Positive | On Sep 23, 2007, nme from Annandale, VA wrote: I was born and raised in a house where this plant grew. Our soil was lakebed sand. This plant grew behind our carport for the 18 years I lived there and grew to about 10-12'. It was a very pretty plant, but you really had to respect it. The spines are very sharp, as well as the edges of the leaves. The sap is also very smelly. |
Positive | On May 3, 2005, cacti_lover from Henderson, NV (Zone 9b) wrote: I don't seem to have problems with this plant either. It grew quite fast in the past three years, but only produced two pups. I cut one out to plant in another area, but it was slow to react. It can get frost-bitten, but usually recovers if the damage is not too extensive. I had another planted on my front yard that died due to freezing temperatures, so they are not very cold hardy. Still, they are beautiful plants that seem to behave well in my yard. |
Positive | On Jan 26, 2005, ForrestGump from Melbourne, FL wrote: I think this plant is fascinating. The little suckers are easy to pull up from the ground by hand, roots and all. Just stick them in the ground somewhere and they will take root. I usually don't even water the suckers after ripping them from the ground, and they STILL take root and grow - even in sand. When God designed this plant, He really designed a tough one. |
Positive | On Aug 26, 2004, Xenomorf from Phoenix, AZ (Zone 9b) wrote: I have had no problems with this being invasive here in zone 9a. Don't know about other zones. It grows slower than some of my other agaves. Handsome looking plant. |
Positive | On Jul 11, 2004, TucsonJen from Tucson, AZ (Zone 9a) wrote: The one at my old house finally bloomed, died, and tipped over. It was glorious. It produced only a handful of adjacent offspring which were easily transplanted to our outer desert or given to friends. Removing the dead plant was a chore due to its size but we had no problem with it beyond the exercise involved. We've planted a new one by the pool at our new home and it's quite dramatic. It has already produced offspring right next to it that I will move out a to a bare patch in the desert as soon as the monsoons loosen up the soil for me. I'm actually happy to see them! My husband and I are not allergic to the sap, thank goodness! |
Positive | On Jul 5, 2004, Xenomorf from Phoenix, AZ (Zone 9b) wrote: Beautiful plant. Seems to be well behaved. The ones I've seen & the one in my yard don't seem to be invading anything. |
Negative | On Jun 11, 2004, acbgallery from Austin, TX wrote: This plant is a horror. I live in Texas and planted the century plant not knowing what a big mistake this was. It has spread and I tried to chop it and the sap gave me a severe allergic skin reaction and difficulty breathing. I want it out of my garden as I have a toddler but having not much luck. Any help or suggestions would be much appreciated. I have two palm trees next to it so I don't want to kill them by spraying any chemicals. Is there any way to inject the plant or any other way to rid of it and kill it once and for all? Uprooting it is very very difficult. I have been searching the internet for answers over weeks, this plant is deadly. |
Neutral | On Apr 23, 2004, amorning1 from Islamorada, FL wrote: Getting impaled by the spines are extremely painfull. |
Negative | On Nov 1, 2003, Vero191 from Lillian, AL wrote: This agave has spread all over and I agree it will come up near the base of other plants and it's hard to remove..I also thought it was a pretty agave but didn't know the growth habits of the plant. Lesson learned find out the growth habits of a plant before planting it.....I must admit it is a pretty agave...and hard to resist if you see it at a nursery |
Negative | On Aug 19, 2003, palmbob from Acton, CA (Zone 8b) wrote: This was a cute little Agave I bought at a local succulent sale one year- attractive, slightly spiny at the time and had a nice variegation. Nothing was told to me about its growth habit. Be careful where you plant this thing- it will spread everywhere. I was beginning to discover that nearly all Agaves suckered profusely, and becoming less enchanted with them as they began to take over the cactus garden - limited somewhat on space, even though I did have over 500 species of plants in it. |