Actual size and flowering may vary slightly based on season.
Agave Stars & Stripes
Agave Stars & Stripes is a striped form of the century plant, with blue-gray leaves lined lengthwise in fine cream to yellow stripes. No two leaves carry quite the same pattern. It grows into a big, bold rosette, about 5 to 8 feet tall and 6 to 8 feet wide. Use it as a specimen in open desert ground, where it takes full sun and heat on very little water.
Best for: a specimen or accent in a large open desert yard, a slope or hillside, and a mass planting set well away from paths. A big striped century plant for full sun and heat.
At 5 to 8 feet tall and 6 to 8 feet wide, one plant makes a focal point in a large open yard. Give it space on all sides so the striped rosette can show.
It does well on a slope or hillside, alone or planted in a group. Space plants about 6 to 8 feet apart so each rosette has room.
Like other century plants, it takes full sun, heat and reflected heat off gravel and paving. A deep soak now and then in the hot, dry months is enough once rooted.
Sharp teeth line the leaf edges and each leaf ends in a long spine, so keep it away from walks, patios, pools and play areas. Soil that stays wet can rot it.
- Tight group6 ft apart, center to center
- Looser group8 ft apart, center to center
Set it in dry soil and skip water for about a week or two in warm weather, longer when it is cool. Then give it water about every other week while nights stay warm.
Once rooted, water deeply about every 2 weeks in summer, every 3 to 4 weeks in spring and fall, and little or none in winter. Let the soil dry out between soakings.
It makes lots of pups around the base. Pull them to keep one rosette, or cut them free, let the cut dry for several days, and plant them.
The sap can cause an itchy rash. Wear long sleeves, heavy gloves and eye protection when you cut leaves or pups, and wash off any sap with soap and water.
Drainage test first. Dig the hole and fill it with water. If water is still sitting in the hole a day later, you likely hit caliche, clay or hard soil, so fix the drainage before planting. If it drains very fast, the soil is sandy. Standing water around roots is a common reason new plants fail.
Weed cloth. Cut it away from the planting hole and where the roots will spread. Remove any plastic sheeting completely, since it keeps water and air out of the soil.
Rock or decomposed granite with no soil underneath. Bring in soil close in texture to your native soil, mix it with the soil below, and build up enough depth for roots before planting.
If you can break through. Use a breaker bar, pick, or jackhammer. Dig through the caliche and break out the solid chunks. Backfill with the soil you dug out, with no compost or manure in the hole. Confirm drainage before planting.
If you cannot break through. Dig narrow holes through the hard layer beside the root ball, not under it, and refill them with the same soil, not gravel. If it still will not drain, plant on a low mound of the same soil.
Root ball. Check the outside edges for any roots circling around. Loosen or cut those so they grow outward. Do not break up the center of the root ball.
Depth. The top of the root ball should sit at or just slightly above the surrounding soil level. Planting too deep can lead to rot and kill the plant.
Drip emitters. At planting, put the emitters on the root ball, on different sides of the plant. After about 2 months, move them to the outer edge of the root ball. Over the first year, add emitters farther out toward the edge of the branches as roots grow. Once a plant is rooted, never water only at the trunk.
What is Agave Stars & Stripes?
It is a striped form of Agave americana, the century plant. The blue-gray leaves carry fine cream to yellow stripes that run the length of each leaf, and the pattern differs from leaf to leaf.
How big does Agave Stars & Stripes get?
Expect about 5 to 8 feet tall and 6 to 8 feet wide. It is a big agave that needs open ground.
How far apart should I plant it?
Plant about 6 to 8 feet apart, center to center. Keep it well back from walks and seating as well. The Spacing tab on this page counts plants for your bed.
Does it take full sun and reflected heat?
Yes, it grows in full sun and also takes part shade. Like other century plants it takes reflected heat off gravel and paving, so it suits a hot bed by a drive or wall.
How often should I water it?
Once rooted, give it a deep soak about every 2 weeks in summer and every 3 to 4 weeks in spring and fall. Water little or not at all in winter, and let the soil dry out in between.
How cold can Agave Stars & Stripes take?
It is listed as hardy to about 15 to 20°F. On hard freeze nights, cover it with frost cloth that reaches the ground, and take it off in the morning.
Does it make pups?
Yes, like other century plants it makes pups around the base. Cut them free with a sharp, clean knife, let the cut dry for several days, then plant them.
Does Agave Stars & Stripes bloom?
Yes, once, after about 10 to 25 years, on a stalk 20 feet or more tall with yellow-green flowers. That rosette then dies, so cut it out and let a pup take its place.
Are the spines sharp?
Yes. The leaf edges have hooked teeth and each leaf ends in a long, sharp spine. Keep it away from walks, patios and pools, or snip off the tip spines.
Can the sap bother my skin?
Yes, century plant sap can cause an itchy rash. Wear long sleeves, heavy gloves and eye protection when you trim it or cut pups.
Is it poisonous to dogs or cats?
It is mildly toxic if chewed. The sap can irritate a pet's mouth and skin and upset the stomach. It is rarely serious, but keep pets from chewing it.
Why is my agave collapsing?
Soft, collapsing leaves usually point to rot from too much water, or to the agave snout weevil, which favors century plants. Keep the soil well drained and remove an infested plant quickly.
Agave Stars & Stripes for sale in Arizona, delivered to you
Agave Stars & Stripes is a striped form of Agave americana, the century plant. Its blue-gray leaves carry fine cream to yellow stripes from base to tip. Below is what to expect from it in the Valley, from size, sun and water to pups, cold, blooming and spacing.
Sourced from trusted Arizona growers and delivered directly to your door, job site, or property. We deliver across the Valley and to nearby towns, and quote delivery anywhere else in Arizona.
What is Agave Stars & Stripes?
It is a striped form of Agave americana, the century plant. Fine cream to yellow stripes run the length of its blue-gray leaves. No two leaves are striped quite alike.
How big does Agave Stars & Stripes get?
It grows about 5 to 8 feet tall and 6 to 8 feet wide. Plant it where it has open ground to fill.
How far apart do you plant Agave Stars & Stripes?
Plant about 6 to 8 feet apart, center to center. Leave extra room from paths because of the spines. The Spacing tab on this page counts plants for your bed.
How often do you water Agave Stars & Stripes in Phoenix?
Once rooted, give it a deep soak about every 2 weeks in summer. Stretch that to every 3 to 4 weeks in spring and fall, with little or none in winter. Fast-draining rocky or sandy soil matters most.
Is Agave Stars & Stripes cold hardy?
It is listed as hardy to about 15 to 20°F. On hard freeze nights, cover it with frost cloth to the ground and uncover it in the morning.
Agave Stars & Stripes vs century plant
Both are Agave americana, with the same care, pups and once-in-a-lifetime bloom. The plain century plant has solid blue-green leaves. Stars & Stripes adds fine cream to yellow stripes.
We deliver across the Valley, from Phoenix, Scottsdale and Mesa out to San Tan Valley, Maricopa and Casa Grande, and up to Prescott, Sedona, Payson and Globe. See delivery areas and rates.