Agave americana
Agave americana L.
Agave americana is a dramatic monocarpic succulent native to Mexico and the southwestern United States, famous for spending 10 to 25 years building its massive rosette before sending up a towering 15 to 30-foot flowering spike bearing thousands of greenish-yellow flowers in one spectacular, final bloom. It symbolizes patience, once-in-a-lifetime achievement, and the magnificent reward of long perseverance.
Asparagaceae (Asparagus family)
June to August (midsummer); the plant flowers only once in its lifetime, typically after 10 to 25 years, then dies
Symbolism & Meanings
Key Meanings
Perfect For
Color Meanings
Similar flowers: dracaena flowers and yellow evening stars also share similar meanings.
Cultural Significance
No flower in nature more powerfully embodies the idea of patient, long-delayed reward than the century plant bloom. Spending a decade or more quietly building its massive rosette of spiny leaves, Agave americana then erupts in a single extraordinary event: a flowering spike that can grow several inches per day, eventually towering 30 feet or more and bearing thousands of nectar-rich blooms that feed hummingbirds, bats, and bees before the plant dies having completed its life's purpose. To the indigenous peoples of Mexico, particularly the Aztec, agave was sacred: it was maguey, the plant that gave them food, fiber, medicine, and spirit. The Aztec goddess Mayahuel, with 400 breasts, was the personification of the maguey plant. In folk traditions, witnessing a century plant bloom is considered exceptionally good luck, and the blooming of a garden specimen draws visitors from far away.Shop Our Floral Collection
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Physical Characteristics
Natural Habitat
Growing Guide
Sunlight
Full sun; extremely intolerant of shade
Water
Extremely drought tolerant; established plants need little to no supplemental water; excellent drainage is essential as standing water causes fatal root rot
Soil
Sandy, Gravelly, Rocky, Well-drained, Poor, Alkaline to neutral, pH 6.5–9.0
Expert Growing Tips
Plant in a position with perfect drainage; even brief waterlogging can be fatal
Choose the planting site carefully as the plant becomes enormous and has dangerously sharp leaf-tip spines
Collect the vegetative offsets ("pups") that appear around the base during flowering and grow them on to replace the dying mother plant
In cool climates (below USDA zone 8), grow in a large container and bring under cover in winter
The spike grows rapidly at its peak, sometimes several inches per day; be prepared for a spectacular but relatively short-lived display
Uses & Benefits
Ornamental Uses
- Dramatic architectural accent or specimen plant
- Xeriscape and drought-tolerant garden design
- Rock garden and gravel garden focal point
- Coastal garden and salt-tolerant planting
- Large container specimen in cool climates
Traditional Uses
- The sap of Agave americana has long been used in Mexican folk medicine as a diuretic and for treating skin infections and burns
- The fermented sap is the basis of pulque, a traditional Mexican alcoholic drink consumed since pre-Columbian times
- Distilled agave spirits (mezcal and tequila, though these typically use A. tequilana and related species) are produced from the fermented heart (pina) of agave plants
- Fiber from the leaves (henequen or sisal-type fiber) was used by indigenous peoples to make rope, cloth, sandals, and paper
Disclaimer: Information provided is for educational purposes only. Consult healthcare professionals before using any plant medicinally.
Further Reading
Frequently Asked Questions about the Agave americana
What does the Agave americana flower symbolize?
The century plant flower symbolizes extraordinary patience, once-in-a-lifetime achievement, and the spectacular reward that comes from long perseverance. The plant spends 10 to 25 years building its energy, then releases it all in one magnificent bloom before dying.
Does the century plant really take 100 years to bloom?
No, the common name is an exaggeration. Agave americana typically flowers after 10 to 25 years, depending on growing conditions. The name "century plant" arose because the wait seemed impossibly long to early observers, though 100 years is far beyond its actual lifespan.
Does the Agave americana plant die after flowering?
Yes. Agave americana is monocarpic, meaning it flowers only once and then dies. However, the plant produces vegetative offsets or "pups" around its base before and during flowering. These can be removed and grown on to replace the mother plant.
How tall does the Agave americana flower spike grow?
The flower spike typically grows 15 to 30 feet tall (4.5 to 9 meters). At its peak growth rate it can elongate several inches per day, making it one of the fastest-growing structures in the plant kingdom during the flowering phase.
What animals pollinate the century plant?
The nectar-rich flowers of Agave americana are pollinated primarily by bats at night, as well as by hummingbirds and large bees during the day. In areas where natural bat pollinators are absent, the plant may produce fewer viable seeds but still blooms spectacularly.
Available Colors
Quick Facts
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