Once in a Lifetime “Century Plant” Now at Longwood Gardens
By Jill Brooke
Patience pays off as Longwood Gardens routinely discovers and teaches others.
The esteemed Pennsylvania botanists have waited nearly two decades for a roof popping bloom of Agave americana, known as the Century Plant. This perennial succulent is monocarpic, meaning it only blooms once before it dies, making it a truly once-in-a-lifetime event. Though once believed a century-long wait was needed for flowering, Agave americana typically blooms after 10 to 25 years.
As officials explain, it first signaled it was ready to bloom by putting up a singular, asparagus-like stalk that grew from the center of its leaves at a rate of five to six inches per day in February. Now towering at a height of more than 20 feet, the bloom has appeared, adorning the stalk with greenish-yellow flowers in branched clusters reminiscent of broccoli. Longwood removed a glass panel from the roof of the Silver Garden in March to ensure optimal conditions for the flowers to develop.
Two century plants previously bloomed at Longwood Gardens in 1997 and 2007. Following the bloom, the main plant will be removed, making way for another specimen of Agave americana to take its place in the Silver Garden.
Beyond its ornamental value, Agave americana serves practical purposes. While not the source of true tequila, it can be used to produce a tequila-like liquor. Additionally, its nectar is marketed as a natural sugar.
The bloom is expected to last through mid-July.
So what is Longwood Gardens and why is it so special?
It dates back to 1906.
Industrialist Pierre S. du Pont (1870-1954) purchased a small farm near Kennett Square, PA, to save a collection of historic trees from being sold for lumber. Today, Longwood Gardens is one of the world’s great horticultural displays, encompassing 1,100 acres of dazzling gardens, woodlands, meadows, fountains, a 10,010-pipe Aeolian organ, and grand conservatory. Expanding on its commitment to conservation, in 2024 Longwood Gardens acquired the 505-acre Longwood at Granogue, a cultural landscape in nearby Wilmington, Delaware. Longwood Gardens is the living legacy of Pierre S. du Pont, bringing joy and inspiration to everyone through the beauty of nature, conservation, and learning. Open daily, Longwood is one of more than 30 gardens in the Philadelphia region known as America’s Garden Capital.
And not let us forget that Pennsylvania historically was the cradle of botany at the dawn of the United States and also is the home of the Philadelphia Flower Show. Certainly makes visiting Pennsylvania a must-see for any flower lover.
