Agaves are rosette-forming perennials growing in the desert and mountainous regions of North, Central, and South America and in the Caribbean. They bloom once at maturity, which can be anywhere from 5 to 40 years. Although most plants die after flowering and are not frost hardy, the thorncrest century plant adapts to colder climates well and withstands temperatures down to 10 degrees. It grows best in rocky, well-drained, dry soil in full sun where it will grow 3 to 4 feet tall and 1 to 2 feet wide, with dark green leaves edged with teeth and decorated by pale light stripes down the center.