Create Your Garden

Agave americana ‘Mediopicta Alba’ (Century Plant)

Century Plant 'Mediopicta Alba'

AGM Award
Agave Americana 'Mediopicta Alba', Century Plant 'Mediopicta Alba', American Aloe, Century Plant, Maguey, Flowering Aloe, Spiked Aloe, Variegated agave
Agave Americana 'Mediopicta Alba', Century Plant 'Mediopicta Alba', American Aloe, Century Plant, Maguey, Flowering Aloe, Spiked Aloe, Variegated agave
Agave Americana 'Mediopicta Alba', Century Plant 'Mediopicta Alba', American Aloe, Century Plant, Maguey, Flowering Aloe, Spiked Aloe, Variegated agave
Agave Americana 'Mediopicta Alba', Century Plant 'Mediopicta Alba', American Aloe, Century Plant, Maguey, Flowering Aloe, Spiked Aloe, Variegated agave

Smaller than its giant cousin, Agave americana, ‘Mediopicta Alba’ (Century Plant) is an evergreen perennial forming splendid rosettes of thick, spiny-edged, gray-green leaves, each with a bright creamy-white central stripe. The fleshy leaves are armed with recurved spines along the edges and a long terminal spine. Mature plants are topped with a magnificent flower stalk that can reach 15 ft. (4m50), and bears large greenish-yellow flowers. The exquisite variegation of the gracefully undulating leaves, added to the lovely fountain shape of this plant, make ‘Mediopicta Alba’ one of the most prized of agaves. A large dramatic plant that enjoys plenty of room.

  • Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society for its outstanding qualities
  • Grows up to 3-4 ft. tall (90-120 cm) and 4-6 ft. wide (120-180 cm).
  • Easily grown in slightly acidic, sandy or gravelly, well-drained soils in full sun. Tolerates light shade better than some other agaves. Irrigate occasionally to not at all. Drought tolerant.
  • Great for beds and borders, city gardens, coastal gardens, rock gardens, succulent gardens or Mediterranean gardens. Ideal as an accent plant in sunny borders or in decorative containers.
  • Plant away from foot traffic: the needle-sharp spines on the leaf tips can be a hazard to humans and pets. Don’t plant this Agave near paths or walkways
  • Deer resistant but attracts hummingbirds.
  • Virtually disease free. Watch for scale insects.
  • Propagate by offsets taken in spring or fall.
  • Use caution, safety glasses, long sleeves, long pants, well covered shoes, and gloves when cutting this plant.
  • Native to Mexico

Agave: Plant Care and Growing Guide


Agave plants are popular for landscaping because they are rich in many qualities and have a striking architectural appearance. Here are some tips on how to plant and grow agaves successfully

Requirements

Hardiness 8 - 11
Heat Zones 5 - 12
Climate Zones 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, H1, H2
Plant Type Cactus & Succulents
Plant Family Asparagaceae
Genus Agave
Common names Century Plant, Agave
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 3' - 4'
(90cm - 120cm)
Spread 4' - 6'
(120cm - 180cm)
Spacing 72" (180cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low
Soil Type Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Plant of Merit, Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Salt
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Patio And Containers
Garden Styles Coastal Garden, City and Courtyard, Mediterranean Garden, Informal and Cottage
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Agave
Guides with
Agave
Not sure which Agave to pick?
Compare Now

Alternative Plants to Consider

Agave tequilana (Blue Agave)
Agave angustifolia var. marginata (Caribbean Agave)
Agave xylonacantha (Saw Leaf Agave)
Agave x leopoldii (Leopold Agave)
Agave vilmoriniana ‘Stained Glass’ (Octopus Agave)
Agave macroacantha (Black-Spined Agave)

Recommended Companion Plants

Aeonium ‘Zwartkop’
Senecio vitalis (Narrow-Leaf Chalksticks)
Aloe striata (Coral Aloe)
Sedum nussbaumerianum (Stonecrop)

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

A Beautiful Duo with Agave ‘Blue Flame’ and ‘Blue Glow’
A Sparkling Mediterranean Garden with Aloe, Agave and Palms
Succulents
Cold-Hardy Agaves for Your Garden
Agave
Pretty Agaves for Your Containers
Great Perennials as Companion Plants for Your Succulents
Great Ornamental Grasses as Companion Plants for Your Succulents
Great Shrubs as Companion Plants for Your Succulents
Agave: Plant Care and Growing Guide
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
Buy Plants

Requirements

Hardiness 8 - 11
Heat Zones 5 - 12
Climate Zones 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, H1, H2
Plant Type Cactus & Succulents
Plant Family Asparagaceae
Genus Agave
Common names Century Plant, Agave
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 3' - 4'
(90cm - 120cm)
Spread 4' - 6'
(120cm - 180cm)
Spacing 72" (180cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low
Soil Type Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Plant of Merit, Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Salt
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Patio And Containers
Garden Styles Coastal Garden, City and Courtyard, Mediterranean Garden, Informal and Cottage
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Agave
Guides with
Agave
Not sure which Agave to pick?
Compare Now

Gardening Ideas

Plant Calculator

How many Agave americana ‘Mediopicta Alba’ (Century Plant) do I need for my garden?

Input your garden space dimensions

Your Shopping List

Plant Quantity
Agave americana ‘Mediopicta Alba’ (Century Plant) N/A Buy Plants

Please Login to Proceed

You Have Reached The Free Limit, Please Subscribe to Proceed

Subscribe to Gardenia

To create additional collections, you must be a paid member of Gardenia
  • Add as many plants as you wish
  • Create and save up to 25 garden collections
Become a Member

Plant Added Successfully

You have Reached Your Limit

To add more plants, you must be a paid member of our site Become a Member

Update Your Credit
Card Information

Cancel

Create a New Collection

Sign Up to Our Newsletter

    You have been subscribed successfully

    Join Gardenia.net

    Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

    Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

    Join now and start creating your dream garden!

    Join Gardenia.net

    Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

    Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

    Join now and start creating your dream garden!

    Find your Hardiness Zone

    Find your Heat Zone

    Find your Climate Zone