Actual size and flowering may vary slightly based on season.
Little Miss America Agave
Little Miss America Agave is a dwarf selection of Agave americana, the classic century plant, from local Arizona growers. It forms a bold rosette of thick, spined leaves. Like other century plants, it takes full sun, heat and reflected heat, and needs very little water once rooted. It suits rock gardens, cactus gardens and hot, open desert beds.
Best for: rock gardens, cactus and succulent gardens, and hot, sunny desert beds with reflected heat, set back from paths. A century plant selection for water-wise yards.
Its rosette suits rock gardens and cactus and succulent gardens. Keep nearby plants out of reach of the spined leaf edges.
Like other century plants, it takes full sun and the reflected heat off gravel, block walls and paving. Once rooted, a deep soak about every 2 weeks in summer is enough.
Once it is rooted it needs very little water, and none in most winters. It needs no pruning beyond pulling pups if you want a single rosette.
The leaf edges have sharp teeth and each tip ends in a hard spine, so keep it back from walks, patios, pools and play areas. Soil that stays wet can rot it.
- Tight group4 ft apart, center to center
- Looser group6 ft apart, center to center
Wait about 1 to 2 weeks after planting before you water, up to a month in cool weather. Then water about every other week while nights are above 60°F, and skip cool weeks unless it has been dry for weeks.
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 Little Miss America Agave?
It is a dwarf selection of Agave americana, the century plant, offered by local Arizona growers. It shares the century plant's care: full sun, fast-draining soil and very little water.
Does it take full sun and reflected heat?
Yes. Century plants are full-sun agaves that take heat, drought and the reflected heat off gravel and paving.
How often should I water it?
Once rooted, a deep soak about every 2 weeks in summer is plenty, and every 3 to 4 weeks in spring and fall. Give it little or none in winter, and let the soil dry out in between.
How cold can it take?
Century plants are rated 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?
Century plants make lots of pups around the base. Cut them free with a sharp, clean knife, let the cut dry for several days to a week, then plant them.
Does it bloom?
Yes, but only once. Century plants bloom after about 10 to 25 years on a tall stalk of yellow flowers, and then that rosette dies while the pups carry on.
Are the spines sharp?
Yes. The leaf edges have teeth and each leaf ends in a long, sharp spine. Keep it back from walks, patios, pools and play areas, or snip off the tip spines.
Can the sap bother my skin?
Yes, it can. Century plant sap can cause an itchy rash, so wear long sleeves, heavy gloves and eye protection when you cut leaves or 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.
What soil does it need?
It grows in any soil that drains fast. If you hit caliche, dig through it so water does not sit around the roots.
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.
Little Miss America Agave for sale in Arizona, delivered to you
Little Miss America Agave is a dwarf selection of Agave americana, the century plant, grown by local Arizona growers. It shares the century plant's care and toughness. Below is what to expect from it in the Valley, from sun and water to pups, cold and blooming.
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 Little Miss America Agave?
It is a dwarf selection of Agave americana, the century plant, from local Arizona growers. It keeps the century plant's toughness and care.
Does Little Miss America Agave take full sun in Phoenix?
Yes. Century plants grow in full sun and take heat, drought and reflected heat. A hot, open bed with fast-draining soil suits it.
How often do you water Little Miss America Agave?
Once rooted, give it a deep soak about every 2 weeks in summer. Water every 3 to 4 weeks in spring and fall, with little or none in winter. Let the soil dry out in between.
Is Little Miss America Agave cold hardy?
Century plants are rated to about 15 to 20°F. On hard freeze nights, cover it with frost cloth to the ground and take it off in the morning.
Does Little Miss America Agave bloom?
Like other century plants, it blooms once, after about 10 to 25 years, on a tall stalk of yellow flowers. That rosette then dies, and the pups around it keep going.
Little Miss America Agave vs century plant
Both are Agave americana with the same care, pups and once-in-a-lifetime bloom. Little Miss America is sold as a dwarf selection of the full-size century plant.
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.