Weber’s Century Plant

Weber’s Century Plant, scientifically known as Agave weberi, is a grand and stately succulent highly regarded for its impressive size, bold form, and relatively soft, spineless leaves. This magnificent monocarpic perennial is native to the arid and semi-arid regions of northeastern Mexico, particularly in states like San Luis Potosí and Nuevo León, where it thrives in hot, dry conditions and well-drained, often rocky soils. While often called a “century plant,” its lifespan typically ranges from 15 to 30 years, though it can sometimes live longer before flowering.

Its most distinctive characteristic is its large, open, and somewhat upright rosette of broad, thick, and remarkably pliable leaves. Unlike many agaves, the leaves of Weber’s Century Plant are relatively spineless along their margins, possessing only a short, soft, or absent terminal spine, making it a much safer choice for planting near pathways or in more accessible garden areas. The leaves are typically a beautiful silvery-blue to glaucous gray-green, often with a subtle white powdery coating, and can reach lengths of 4-6 feet, forming a rosette that can span 6-8 feet in diameter. It is usually a solitary grower, rarely producing offsets (pups) until just before it flowers. When mature, it produces a truly spectacular, tall, branched flower stalk, typically soaring 15-25 feet high, resembling a candelabra. This immense inflorescence is densely covered with numerous clusters of yellow to greenish-yellow flowers, which are a vital food source for bats and various insects. The substantial size, majestic form, and relative ease of handling (due to fewer spines) make Weber’s Century Plant an excellent choice for large xeriscapes, spacious desert gardens, and as a commanding focal point in landscapes that can accommodate its mature dimensions, particularly well-suited to the hot, dry climate of Phoenix, Arizona, and similar arid regions. Sources