- Mature height
- 1.5m to 2m
- Mature width
- 2m to 3m
Agave americana ‘Ghost’ is a pale-leaved selection of the Century Plant, named for foliage that reads almost white in strong light. Broad leaves in silver-blue, washed with cream and soft grey, build a symmetrical rosette with the usual toothed margins and sharp tip. Colour is the whole reason to plant it.
Give it full sun, because shade dulls the silver and loosens the rosette. Soil must drain freely and it is worth raising beds on clay. Growth runs 20 to 40 centimetres a year. Established plants take light to moderate frost and long dry periods, which suits Perth, Adelaide, Sydney and much of inland Australia.
Expect about 1.2 to 1.8 metres tall and 1.5 to 2.5 metres wide, a little tighter than the plain species. It earns its place as a single specimen against dark render, in gravel gardens, coastal plantings and wide containers. Pale foliage lifts a scheme that has gone heavy on green, and it does so without any upkeep.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Agave americana ‘Ghost’
What is Agave americana ‘Ghost’?
It is a pale-foliaged selection of the Century Plant, chosen for leaves that carry so much cream and silver over the blue base that the whole rosette reads close to white in strong light. The leaf shape, marginal teeth and terminal spine are those of the species, but the plant is a little smaller and slower growing.
How big does Agave ‘Ghost’ grow?
Expect around 1.2 to 1.8 metres tall and 1.5 to 2.5 metres wide at maturity, slightly more contained than a plain Agave americana because the pale tissue carries less chlorophyll. It reaches usable size within a few years from advanced stock and then holds that scale for a long time.
Does Agave ‘Ghost’ need full sun?
Full sun gives the best result. In shade the silver tone dulls towards green and the rosette opens out and loses its symmetry. In very hot inland gardens a little afternoon shade will stop the palest tissue scorching. Coastal and temperate positions in full sun need no protection at all.
When does Agave ‘Ghost’ flower?
Flowering is a once in a lifetime event that happens in summer after ten to thirty years, on a tall spike carrying yellow flowers. The rosette dies once seed is set, which is normal for the genus and not a fault. Offsets around the base take over, so the planting continues without a replant.
Is Agave ‘Ghost’ frost tolerant?
Established plants handle light to moderate frost, roughly to minus 5 degrees Celsius on dry soil. Frost combined with wet soil is what does the damage. In Canberra, Ballarat or the tablelands, plant on a raised, well drained bed in a sunny spot and keep young plants under cover through their first winter.
Can Agave ‘Ghost’ be grown in a pot?
Yes, and the pale foliage is well suited to it. Use a wide container, a gritty succulent mix and drainage holes that stay clear. Water only when the mix has dried out and never leave a saucer full. Repot every three or four years, or top dress instead once the plant is too large to handle comfortably.
How do I care for Agave ‘Ghost’?
It needs very little. Plant into raised or free-draining soil, water lightly through the first summer, then rely on rainfall. Skip fertiliser in garden beds and use a weak succulent feed once a year in pots. Trim damaged lower leaves at the base with a sharp knife and remove offsets when the clump gets crowded.