Thorncrest Century Plant

Thorncrest century plant forms a low, dense rosette of green leaves with toothed margins, sharp terminal spines, and sometimes a lighter stripe. It is a compact architectural succulent for a sunny gravel bed, rock garden, or spacious container. Plants slowly reach about 2–3 ft tall; one university source gives a roughly 2 ft diameter, while another reports spreads up to 4 ft, so leave room for the mature rosette and offsets. ## Identity and growing conditions The live botanical name, Agave univittata, is supported by ITIS and the Flora of North America taxonomy, which give thorncrest century plant as its common name and list A. lophantha as a synonym. Kew’s Plants of the World Online instead treats A. univittata as a synonym of A. lophantha; both refer to the thorncrest plant described here. The University of Florida’s [IFAS profile](https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/ornamentals/agave-lophantha/) recommends sun or partial shade, sandy fast-draining soil, and watering only after the soil dries completely. The [University of Arizona Campus Arboretum](https://apps.cals.arizona.edu/arboretum/taxon.aspx?id=546) describes the same plant under A. univittata and notes heat tolerance, sharp leaf teeth, pups, and yellow-green flowers on a tall stalk. ## Maintenance Water less often in winter and avoid waterlogged soil. Allow space for sharp leaf tips, especially near paths and seating. The rosette flowers once and then declines; retain basal pups if you want the clump to continue. Remove dead leaves or a spent flower stalk when practical.