PlantHaven
Family
Agavaceae
Botanical Name
AGAVE attenuata 'Kara's Stripes' PP19444
Plant Common Name
Kara's Stripes Century Plant, Smooth Century Plant
Special Notice
This entry has yet to be reviewed and approved by L2G editors.
General Description
Soft green leaves make this the most painless agave for gardens. This clump-forming native of Mexico inhabits high rocky cliffs where good soil drainage is assured. It has become a popular choice for mild coastal climates and dry inland valleys that do not receive much winter cold.
Smooth century plant forms neat rosettes of smooth bright green foliage. As the rosettes age the stems elongate and develop a trunk-like appearance. In time, the central rosette will produce numerous pups, or offsets, from its base. These may be left to create a large colony or severed and rooted into new plants. After twenty years the central rosette will bloom in early spring. The flowers are borne on a very long branched stem topped with pale yellow flowers. The stem is not upright, but tends to arch and dip, which explains another of this plant’s common names, foxtail. The flowers are fragrant and attract many pollinators to include birds, bees and bats.
While this plant can be grown in full sun along the coast, it appreciates afternoon shade in very hot, dry climates. It requires extreme protection in the low desert and still may not thrive there. It may be grown in most well-drained soils, even poorer ones. This is a naturally drought resistant species, but with regular water it will grow better and look nicer.
Those interested in a specimen plant should diligently remove all offsets that appear. This pain free agave is preferred for small spaces, containers, beach house gardens and swimming pool plantings. Under ideal conditions it will form large colonies with up to a dozen rosettes, which become an outstanding focal point. It is often integrated into xeriscape compositions with other succulents, western natives and Mediterranean plants.
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Neutral, Alkaline
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Soil Drainage
Well Drained
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Soil type
Loam, Sand
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Tolerances
Drought, Salt
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Growth Rate
Medium
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Water Requirements
Xeric/Desert, Drought Tolerant, Average Water
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Habit
Clump-Forming
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Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Flower Color
Yellow Green
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Lime Green
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Lime Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Lime Green
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Foliage Color (Winter)
Lime Green
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Bark Color
Gray
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Fragrant Flowers
No
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
No
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Showy Fruit
No
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
Yes
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Foliage Texture
Bold
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Foliage Sheen
Matte
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Evergreen
Yes
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Showy Bark
No
Special Characteristics
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Usage
Container, Feature Plant, Foundation, Mixed Border, Rock Garden / Wall, Tropical
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Sharp or Has Thorns
No
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Invasive
No
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Attracts
Hummingbirds
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Self-Sowing
No
