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(Agave schottii)
Schott’s Century Plant (Agave schottii)
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Cecelia Alexander
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Cecelia Alexander
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CC0 1.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Cecelia Alexander | License Type: CC0 1.0 | License URL: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/ | Uploader: aspidoscelis | Publisher: Flickr
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Agave schottii, commonly known as Schott’s Century Plant, is an evergreen succulent native to the semi-arid regions, including grasslands and rocky slopes, in the Southwestern USA and Northwestern Mexico. It is a small to medium-sized plant with leaves that typically grow to about 0.3 meters (0.98 feet) in length. The leaves are blue-green with sharp terminal spines, earning it the nickname "shindagger." Agave schottii blooms infrequently, but when it does, it produces a tall stalk with pale to bright yellow flowers. These flowers are spicate inflorescences, tubular in shape, and about 8 mm by 4 mm (0.31 in by 0.16 in) in size, emitting a sweet fragrance. The flowering event is dramatic, although it often signifies the end of the plant’s life cycle, as it is monocarpic.
The Schott’s Century Plant is valued for its drought tolerance and architectural form, making it an excellent choice for xeriscaping and rock gardens. It requires minimal maintenance and thrives in full sun with very low water needs, preferring well-drained soils. It is also used in container plantings due to its manageable size. However, gardeners should be cautious of its sharp spines when planting in areas with foot traffic. While it is generally pest-resistant, overwatering can lead to root rot.CC BY-SA 4.0
The Schott’s Century Plant is valued for its drought tolerance and architectural form, making it an excellent choice for xeriscaping and rock gardens. It requires minimal maintenance and thrives in full sun with very low water needs, preferring well-drained soils. It is also used in container plantings due to its manageable size. However, gardeners should be cautious of its sharp spines when planting in areas with foot traffic. While it is generally pest-resistant, overwatering can lead to root rot.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Succulent
- Height: 1-2 feet
- Width: 2-4 feet
- Growth Rate: Slow
- Flower Color: Yellow
- Flowering Season: Summer
- Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun
- Water: Very Low
- Drainage: Fast
Common Uses
Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Drought Tolerant, Fire Resistant, Hummingbird Garden, Low Maintenance, Rabbit Resistant, Rock Garden
Natural Habitat
Semi-arid regions, including grasslands and rocky slopes
Other Names
Common Names:
Scientific Names: , Agave schottii, Agave geminiflora var. sonorae,
GBIF Accepted Name: Agave schottii Engelm.