Havard's Century Plant

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Agave havardiana

Last reviewed: August 2026

Agave havardiana, known as Havard's century plant, forms broad gray-green rosettes suited to full sun and rocky, well-drained soil in the Chihuahuan Desert region of West Texas, with a tall summer bloom from June through August.

Toxicity unknown

Havard's Century Plant (Agave havardiana) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

full sun

Water

low

Size

36"–180" H × 36"–60" W

Bloom

Jun, Jul, Aug

Native to

Pollinators

bees, hummingbirds

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Chihuahuan Deserts

Havard's Century Plant is a large, architectural succulent with thick, blue-gray leaves arranged in a striking rosette pattern. This dramatic agave can reach up to 15 feet tall and produces a spectacular flowering stalk in summer before the plant dies, though it typically produces offsets to continue the colony.

Growing Havard's Century Plant

Grow Havard's Century Plant in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 36 to 180 inches tall and spread 36 to 60 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

Havard's Century Plant takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

Height exceeds typical HOA-friendly range

Wildlife value

The summer blooms attract bees and hummingbirds with their nectar-rich flowers. The sturdy structure also provides nesting sites for desert birds.

Common questions

How much water does Agave havardiana need?: Agave havardiana is adapted to low-water conditions and prefers dry, rocky, well-drained soil. Overwatering or poor drainage is more likely to harm it than drought.
What kind of light does Havard's century plant need?: It grows best in full sun and can also tolerate part sun, especially in hot, exposed rocky sites similar to its natural desert habitat.
When does Agave havardiana bloom?: It typically sends up a tall flowering stalk in summer, blooming from June through August.
What pollinators visit Agave havardiana flowers?: Bees and hummingbirds are regular visitors to the tall summer flower spikes of Agave havardiana.
Does Agave havardiana bloom more than once?: Like other century plants, each rosette flowers only once, usually after many years of growth, and the main rosette dies after blooming, though offsets often remain at the base.
Is Havard's Century Plant HOA-friendly?: Havard's Century Plant takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.

Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

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Common questions

How much water does Agave havardiana need?

Agave havardiana is adapted to low-water conditions and prefers dry, rocky, well-drained soil. Overwatering or poor drainage is more likely to harm it than drought.

What kind of light does Havard's century plant need?

It grows best in full sun and can also tolerate part sun, especially in hot, exposed rocky sites similar to its natural desert habitat.

When does Agave havardiana bloom?

It typically sends up a tall flowering stalk in summer, blooming from June through August.

What pollinators visit Agave havardiana flowers?

Bees and hummingbirds are regular visitors to the tall summer flower spikes of Agave havardiana.

Does Agave havardiana bloom more than once?

Like other century plants, each rosette flowers only once, usually after many years of growth, and the main rosette dies after blooming, though offsets often remain at the base.

Is Havard's Century Plant HOA-friendly?

Havard's Century Plant takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.

Common plant problems, and what to check first

See all plant problem guides