Century Plant in Bloom

In the Conservatory’s Silver Garden, the century plant (Agave americana) is blooming.

The flower spike, growing at the incredible rate of 5–6 inches per day, has shot through the greenhouse roof and will reach heights of 30 to 35 feet. 

This amazing plant was transplanted here in 1997 from a 5-gallon container and has thrived for the past ten years. Legend says the century plant takes one hundred years to bloom. However, century plants in cultivation may bloom much quicker, and Longwood’s living example has taken full advantage of the ideal conditions the Silver Garden offers.

The century plant will use all of its energy to produce this once-in-a-lifetime bloom. After it finishes flowering it will die, and Longwood gardeners will replace it with a younger plant.

Check back here every week to follow the growth of this amazing plant!