Description
Agave chrysantha | Golden-flowered Agave
Golden-flowered Agave, also commonly called Golden-flower Century Plant, is an endemic perennial subshrub native only to central and southern Arizona at 3,000 to 7,000 feet. It is very similar in appearance to Palmers Agave which it has been known to hybridize with (Agave palmeri). It is commonly seen in its natural habitat which includes rocky hillsides and sandy to gravelly soils in desert scrub, grasslands, and juniper and oak woodland landscapes.
The species has sharp spines on the margins of long and stiff, glaucous-green leaves arranged in a rosette, but is known for and distinguished by its giant golden-yellow to orange flower spikes that tower to an astonishing 21 feet in height from June to August. Flowers only once before dying where it will then regrow from basal offsets.
Golden-flowered Agave can survive with little or no summer water once established and must have excellent drainage, such as a gravelly or granite-based soil because wet and cold soil can be more fatal to it than low temperatures alone. Since it grows at higher elevations it’s accustomed to winter frosts.
This species attracts insects including bees, as well as birds and bats.
Type: Perennial
Sun exposure: Full sun
Mature height: 3 ft
Mature width: 5 ft
Hardiness zones: 8-11
*Please note that we ship rooted plant orders out on Mondays or Tuesdays only.
The plant you receive will be one of the plants in the photos, or a similar one.
