Century Plant
Agave parryi
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Pl. 8F74 — Agave parryi
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IOverview
Overview
The Century Plant (Agave parryi) is a perennial forb or subshrub native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. It thrives in full sun with varying soil types from light sandy to medium, and can tolerate both dry and moist conditions. Hardy in zones 9-11, this plant grows up to 0.5 meters tall and is known for its edible leaves, sap, seeds, and stems. Native to Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and parts of northeastern and northwestern Mexico, the Century Plant has been utilized by humans for centuries due to its versatile uses in both culinary and traditional medicine contexts. One distinctive feature is its rosette form, with thick, spiky leaves that can store water, making it well-adapted to arid environments.
Quick answers
What is Century Plant?
The Century Plant (Agave parryi) is a perennial forb or subshrub native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. It thrives in full sun with varying soil types from light sandy to medium, and can tolerate both dry and moist conditions.
What is Century Plant used for?
Traditionally used for digestion. Each claim is evidence-rated — see Section II for full citations.
Best for
Top 1 evidence-ranked use of Century Plant
Clinicaluses · safety · chemistry · dosagemedicinal profile
IIBenefits & evidence
1 claim · 0 sources
Benefits & evidence
1 claim · 0 sources- Traditional-use note: Century Plant appears in herbal sources around after-meal comfort traditions, often as a decoction. PlantSage presents this as ethnobotanical context, not as medical advice.
Traditional context only. This reviewed claim keeps the original low confidence level, but avoids treatment, disease, dosage, or guaranteed-effect language.
IV·bMixology suggestions
1 draft
Mixology suggestions
1 draftEditorial drafts. These pairings are AI-suggested from traditional herbal lore. Always verify with a qualified herbalist before brewing.
Sunshine Elixir
skintincture
Used traditionally for skin health and protection.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
The Century Plant (Agave parryi) thrives in full sun and prefers well-draining soil that is either light (sandy) or medium. It can tolerate dry conditions but also benefits from moist soil during the growing season. This perennial plant is hardy in zones 9-11, making it suitable for warmer climates. To propagate, divide the offsets or use seeds. Harvest edible parts such as leaves, sap, seed, and stem when mature.
Light
Full sun
Water
Dry, Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium
Hardiness
9-11
Life cycle
Perennial
Habit
Forb/herb, Subshrub, Shrub
Mature size
0.5 m tall
For first-time growers
How to grow Century Plant for the first time
8steps
Start with a simple Century Plant to gain experience in caring for succulents.
- 1
What you'll need
A healthy Agave parryi plant, well-draining soil mix, and a sunny spot in your garden.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant in spring or early summer when the weather is warm.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Use a cactus or succulent potting mix and ensure containers have drainage holes.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Transplant from a nursery pot to your garden bed, digging a hole slightly larger than the root ball.
- 5
First two weeks
Water sparingly but deeply once every 10 days. Avoid overwatering as it can lead to rot.
- 6
Ongoing care
Provide full sun and water only when the soil is completely dry, about once a month.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune dead leaves to maintain the plant's appearance. Harvest young leaves for culinary use if needed.
- 8
Common mistakes
Overwatering, planting in poorly drained soil, and not providing enough sunlight are common issues.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:LeavesSapSeedStem
Edible uses: The Century Plant (Agave parryi) is edible, with its leaves, sap, seeds, and stem being used. The leaves can be eaten raw or cooked, while the sap is often collected and consumed directly or used to make syrup. The stem and seeds are typically boiled before consumption.
Other uses:FiberCraftingtextilesSoap
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
6 native · 0 introduced
Distribution
6 native · 0 introducedDistribution across0 continents· 6 native
Broader regions
native:Arizona, Mexico Northeast, Mexico Northwest, Mexico Southwest, New Mexico, Texas
IXSpecimen gallery
1 image
Specimen gallery
1 imageXSee also
8 related
See also
8 relatedPlants you might compare or use together — scored by shared family, common use cases, and growing requirements.
shared use cases
Different families, similar therapeutic role — good for comparing.
XI
Explore further
Companion planting
Health goals
Compare with similar plants
Growing zone
XII
About this entry
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