There are many different varieties of agave. When you think of this plant, you may think of products commonly made with agave, such as tequila, agave syrup, or skin care products made with its aloe-like inner pulp. But do you think about flowers? Probably not. Agave flowers are rare.
american agave It is commonly known as the plant of the century due to the misconception that they only bloom once a century. But the flowers are not that rare and there are hundreds of agave varieties with different flowering rates. Most are also monocarpic, meaning they will only flower once in their lifetime.
The short answer
Yes, they bloom! American agave, The most popular variety used in home gardens and landscaping does flower. It is one of the monocarpic varieties that flowers once and dies shortly after.
The purpose of the plant is to flower to produce seeds. Once that purpose is fulfilled, it withers and dies. There are also some non-monocarpic varieties, such as Agave ornithobromathat bloom annually and continue to live.
The long answer
As mentioned above, not all agave plants bloom at the same rate. This depends on the variety and whether it is monocarpic or non-monocarpic. american agave It received its common name, “century plant,” because it can take more than 80 years to flower. But this is a bit of a misnomer, as it can also take as little as ten years to produce a bloom. It just depends!
Not much is known about what prompts an agave plant to flower and when, but providing it with ideal growing conditions ensures that it survives long enough to produce a flower stalk. Agaves are adapted to survive in harsh deserts and Prefers sandy, well-drained and neutral soils.. They do not require much water outside of natural rainfall. They need full sun to thrive.
american agave It needs to store a large amount of starch to have the energy and resources necessary to produce a flower stem. This inflorescence can grow up to 25 to 30 feet tall, and this narrow spike features long, tubular, yellow flowers that eventually produce seeds.
What varieties of agave plants flower?
Both monocarpic and non-monocarpic flowering varieties of agave. Monocarpic varieties flower once, while non-monocarpic varieties can flower annually. Some varieties flower but are harvested for other purposes before they have a chance to do so.
american agave
This variety is monocarpic and flowers once in its life, dying shortly after. These generally bloom within 10-30 years of age. The mature spread of this plant can range from 6 to 10 feet wide.
The gray-green leaves can grow 3 to 5 feet long and are spiked at the tips. It is often referred to as the plant of the century as it can take several decades to flower.
Agave ornithobroma
This variety is also known as Maguey Pajarito. This non-monocarpic species may flower annually, but depending on conditions, it may not flower at all. This dense, compact species grows two feet tall and three feet wide.
It is native to northern Mexico, where it grows in high-altitude deserts. Forms a dense solitary rosette in the center..
Blue Weber Agave
The variety of agave associated with tequila is the Blue Weber agave. Let it be called tequila, must contain at least 51% of this variety. For this reason, it usually does not have the opportunity to flower since it is harvested before that date. Allowing it to flower would cause the plant to die. When allowed to fully mature, it can grow six feet tall and wide in about five to seven years.
The verdict
Choose wisely the variety of agave you plant in your garden. Some factors to consider include: Would you mind waiting decades for this plant to flower? And if so, do you agree that the plant dies after producing said flowering? Or do you want your plant to bloom annually and survive? Are you growing this plant for edible or medicinal purposes and don’t care if it blooms?
When do agave plants bloom?
Focus on providing ideal growing conditions so the plant can store starches and be ready to bloom when the time is right. Botanists are beginning to believe that agave flowering could be triggered by the amount of soil moisture the plant received during the previous year.
But in general, plants that are larger and healthier tend to flower first, before plants of the same age. Most species flower. between 8 and 30 years. In addition to producing flowers that lead to seeds, these plants produce offspring that can be dug up and replanted for even more agave.
The verdict
The flowers of agave plants are unpredictable. If you are growing this plant for its stunning and rare flower, then You may be rewarded in a few years or you may never see it in your life.. The best approach is to grow them for their beautiful foliage and view the flowers as a bonus. You can also dig up and replant the pups to increase your chances of witnessing a bloom.
Final thoughts
Agave is worth growing regardless of flowering.. Its gray-green leaves are beautiful and make an excellent addition to the desert landscape, where gardeners face drought, heat, and other harsh conditions. Agaves were created to thrive in these environments. If you try, you may also be rewarded with a bloom.
