Alphabetical Plant Listing

Agave shawii (Shaw's Agave)

Shaw's Agave, Century Plant Shaw's Agave, Coastal Agave


Particularly stunning when lit by the morning or late afternoon sun, Agave shawii (Coastal Agave) is an evergreen, perennial succulent forming a rosette of fleshy, sword-shaped, green leaves which radiate gracefully from the center of the plant, giving it a neat and rounded shape. They are lined with gray spines which exhibit coral, gold, pink or red shades when backlit, adding intriguing beauty. While infrequent, mature plants (over 10 years) flower only once. They are topped with a magnificent flowering spike that can reach 12 ft. (4m), and bears clusters of yellow flowers. The flowering rosette dies after flowering, but new rosettes formed by offsets will root to form colonies.

  • Grows up to 2-3 ft. tall and wide (60-90 cm).
  • Easily grown in slightly acidic, sandy or gravelly, dry to medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun. Tolerates part shade, particularly in hot desert gardens where some shade will prevent scorching of the foliage. Little irrigation is required and regular summer irrigation is harmful to this plant. Dry soil and drought tolerant.
  • Great for beds and borders, city 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
  • Attracts hummingbirds and birds but is deer resistant
  • Virtually disease free. Watch for scale insects.
  • Propagate by offsets.
  • Use caution, safety glasses, long sleeves, long pants, well covered shoes, and gloves when cutting this plant.
  • Native to Baja California and coastal southern California

Agave: Plant Care and Growing Guide

Here are some tips on how to plant and grow agaves successfullyRead More

Not sure which Agave to pick?
Compare All Agave

Buy Agave shawii (Shaw's Agave)

Requirements

Hardiness 9 – 10
Plant Type Cactus - Succulents
Plant Family Agave
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early,Mid,Late)
Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 2' – 3' (60cm – 90cm)
Spread 2' – 3' (60cm – 90cm)
Spacing 36" (90cm)
Water Needs Low
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy, Evergreen
Native Plants United States, California
Tolerance Deer, Drought, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil
Attracts Birds, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Beds and Borders, Patio and Containers
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Coastal Garden, Gravel and Rock Garden, Mediterranean Garden

Buy Plants

Great Plant Combination Ideas with Agave

Guides with Agave


(c) Gerhard Bock, SucculentsandMore.com

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.


Requirements

Hardiness 9 – 10
Plant Type Cactus - Succulents
Plant Family Agave
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early,Mid,Late)
Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 2' – 3' (60cm – 90cm)
Spread 2' – 3' (60cm – 90cm)
Spacing 36" (90cm)
Water Needs Low
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy, Evergreen
Native Plants United States, California
Tolerance Deer, Drought, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil
Attracts Birds, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Beds and Borders, Patio and Containers
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Coastal Garden, Gravel and Rock Garden, Mediterranean Garden

Great Plant Combination Ideas with Agave

Guides with Agave

Plant Calculator

How many Agave shawii (Shaw's Agave) do I need for my garden?

%
ft
ft

Your Shopping List

Plant Quantity
Agave shawii (Shaw's Agave)

Find your Hardiness Zone

Find your Climate Zone

Find your Heat Zone

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!

Create a New Collection

Optional. For your reference.


Move Selected Plants to a Different Collection


Delete Collection

This field is required.

Rename Collection

This field is required.