Century plants (Agave americana) look wild. They grow as thick succulents for years, giving the impression of an aloe plant on steroids. They squat intimidatingly on the ground, boasting giant blue-green leaves and no showy flowers. Their spiky leaf margins and super pointy tips keep predators and most people away.

Then out of the blue, years into its lifespan, a stalk emerges from the center. As thick as a flagpole and at 20’ eventually just as tall, the green spike towers over the surrounding vegetation. This, finally, is its flower. Once blooming in the summer, showy rows of yellow or white flowers attract hummingbirds and pollinator insects.

Called a century plant due to the legend that the plants only flower after 100 years, then die, they actually produce their flower sometime between 15 and 60 years of age. The plants do die back after flowering. However, like sago plants they will produce “pups” that can be transplanted to continue the life cycle.

While agaves of all species are native to Mexico and the southwestern United States, they grow well in the Gulf South. They need full sun, but are highly tolerant of drought, salt, and a wide variety of soil types. There are about 200 species of Agave, including some that flower multiple times in their lives and others with smooth leaves. They are closely related to Yucca plants, all of which are in the asparagus family, Asparagaceae.  This made total sense once I learned it—before blooming, that upright central flower looks exactly like a gigantic asparagus stalk!

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