Plant Care Sentry Plant

Sentry Plant

4.5 out of 5 (10 experiences)

Sentry Plant has a Survivor plant personality Survivor
Sentry Plant has a Fast grower plant personality Fast grower

Also known as

Century Plant, Century Plant, Maguey and American Aloe

Taxonomy

Agave americana
Agave
Asparagaceae
Asparagales

How to care for Sentry Plant

💦 Water

How often to water your Sentry Plant

Water needs for Sentry Plant
0.5 cups
every 12

Sentry Plant needs 0.5 cups of water every 12 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.

Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Calculate water needs of Sentry Plant

Water 0.5 cups every
12

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

Select the pot size

5"
☀️ Light

Finding light for Century Plant in your home

Light needs and placement for plant Sentry Plant: 1ft from a window
1ft or less from
a window

Sentry Plant love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

Sentry Plant does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Sentry Plant in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Sentry Plant

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Sentry Plant: repot after 2X growth

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.

By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.

To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Sentry Plant after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

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💡 FAQs
⭐ Difficulty Level

Sentry Plant is generally easy to care for, though some plant parents report facing challenges with growing it. Check out the reviews down below to read more about their experiences!

Common Century Plant Problems →


💦 Water Needs

Sentry Plant thrives in dry soil and should be watered sparingly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Century Plant Root Rot →


☀️ Sunlight Needs

Sentry Plant requires abundant, bright and direct light. Place it less than one foot from a window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.


🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Sentry Plant is extremely dangerous if consumed. If you, a family member, or a pet has ingested any amount of plant material contact Poison Control, US (800) 222-1222, or your veterinarian immediately. Sentry Plant is not recommended for homes with children, cats, or dogs.

Is Century Plant Edible? →

Century Plant Toxicity to Cats →

Century Plant Toxicity to Dogs →

Century Plant Toxicity to Humans →


💨 Humidity

Sentry Plant prefers dry environments. Providing extra humidity or misting your plant allows water to linger on leaves, which can create the perfect environment for harmful types of fungi.


🪴 Soil

Sentry Plant is very sensitive to wet soil, so choose a potting soil that drains very well and doesn’t retain too much moisture. A good soil will have lots of perlite or vermiculite for drainage and some organic matter for nutrition. A few handfuls of perlite added to regular store-bought cactus soil will do the trick!

What Are Healthy Century Plant Roots →


💩 Fertilizer

Sentry Plant grows very slowly and doesn’t require added fertilizer. Replacing your plant’s potting soil once a year should provide them with more than enough nutrition. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!


❄️ Dormancy

It’s common for Sentry Plant to go dormant in the wintertime and you may notice their growth slow down. Waterings should be spaced out more during this time.


🌎 Native Region

Sentry Plant is native to the Americas.


🌸 Flowers

Yes, you may see your Sentry Plant bloom with the right amount of sunlight and water.

Is Century Plant an Annual Plant? →

Is Century Plant a Perennial Plant? →

Common Century Plant Flower Problems →


⬆️ ⬇️ Growth Pattern

Sentry Plant grows in a rosette pattern, with leaves neatly arranged in a circle. New growth will emerge from the center.

Century Plant Lifecycle →

Century Plant Size Guide →


🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Sentry Plant can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 8a-11b. Find your local hardiness zone here.

Century Plant Hardiness Zones →

Is Century Plant a Weed? →


🌱 Propagation

The seeds of Sentry Plant can be used to grow new plants! After your plant flowers, any seeds that formed can be collected and germinated in potting soil.


🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.


😖 Common Issues

Overwatering is a likely cause of issues with Sentry Plant. These plants are very sensitive to wet soil so if you notice your plant becoming squishy or translucent, overwatering is the likely culprit.

Cut your plant just past where the rot ends and allow it to callus over for a few days before replanting it in fresh, dry soil. Download Greg to make sure your plant never gets overwatered again!


Care Summary for Sentry Plant

Sentry Plant

Sentry Plant


Greg recommends:

Water

0.5 cups every 12 days

Placement

< 1ft from a window

Nutrients

Repot after 2x growth

Based on the 4” pot your plant is in, and that it doesn’t get direct sunlight.

What other plant parents say

Sentry Plant has a Survivor plant personality Survivor 8
Sentry Plant has a Fast grower plant personality Fast grower 2
Sentry Plant has a Easy to propagate plant personality Easy to propagate 1
Sentry Plant has a Large, lush leaves plant personality Large, lush leaves 1
@asslynn avatar
@@asslynn
leaf-1 25 Plants
xp 2,614 XP
globe Dallas, TX
09/12/2021

I decided to dip my toes into houseplants, he was one of my first plants and has survived for almost 3 months. Granted they’re fairly easy plants, but I have indeed killed some fairly easy plants.

Survivor Survivor
@IamReal avatar
@@IamReal
leaf-1 6 Plants
xp 207 XP
04/28/2021

i cant wait till this plant gets to 5 feet high and wide

Fast grower Fast grower
Survivor Survivor
@IamReal avatar
@@IamReal
leaf-1 6 Plants
xp 207 XP
04/28/2021

loves alot of sun and some water

Survivor Survivor

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