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Products > Agave americana 'Yellow Ribbons'
 
Agave americana 'Yellow Ribbons' - Yellow Ribbons Century Plant

San Marcos Growers has permanently closed as a business. This is an archived page preserved for informational use.  
Image of Agave americana 'Yellow Ribbons'
 
Habit and Cultural Information
Category: Succulent
Family: Agavaceae (now Asparagaceae)
Origin: Mexico (North America)
Evergreen: Yes
Variegated Foliage: Yes
Flower Color: Yellow
Bloomtime: Infrequent
Height: 4-6 feet
Width: 6-8 feet
Exposure: Full Sun
Summer Dry: Yes
Deer Tolerant: Yes
Irrigation (H2O Info): Low Water Needs
Winter Hardiness: 20-25° F
May be Poisonous  (More Info): Yes
Agave americana 'Yellow Ribbons' (Yellow Ribbons Century Plant) - A large upright succulent with a rosette to 5 to 6 feet tall by 6 to 8 feet wide of upright green to gray-green leaves that have cream-colored margins. As with other Agave americana varieties this plant has yellow-green flowers that attract hummingbirds, but plants do not bloom until they are several decades or so old (not a century!) and then the main flowering rosette dies with suckers emerging around its base.

Plant in full sun. Irrigate occasionally to not at all. Cold hardy to 15 degrees F or less. This large plant can be dramatic in the landscape - give it plenty of room and situate it away from traffic. Great on a hillside. Striking as an individual plant or when used in mass. Use extreme care when working around or trimming any Agave. Not only are the spines wicked and cause a painful swelling if one is poked, but the sap of many species is caustic. Many a person has regretted using a chainsaw, which throws the juices back at the user, to trim an agave.

This particular selection was made from one plant growing on the nursery property and is particularly elegant with a more open habit and leaves that arch outwards slightly towards the tips. It also has greener leaves than the other variegated Agave americana that we grow as Agave americana var. marginata. For more information on the species see our listing of Agave americana

The information displayed on this page about Agave americana 'Yellow Ribbons' is based on our research conducted about this plant from books in our nursery library as well as from information that is provided by reliable online resources. We also have included our own observations made about it as it grew in the nursery gardens and other gardens visited, as well how the crops of this plant performed in the containers when we had them in our nursery field. We also include comments received from others and welcome hearing from anyone who has information about this plant, particularly if it includes cultural information aiding others to better grow it.

 
We closed for regular business at the end of 2025 in order for the property to be developed for affordable housing.
Our gates remain closed but we will open them by appointment to interested parties as we liquidate remaining supplies and equipment.
 
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