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Watch century plants Video
Century plants are unique plants that can live for many years, sometimes up to 30! They have thick, spiky leaves and grow tall flower stalks when they bloom.
Key details
- Height
- 100-1000 cm
- Spread
- 50-300 cm
- Flower Size
- 3-5 cm
- Bloom Season
- Summer to Fall
- Edible
- Yes
- Toxicity
- Mild
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Bat
Traits
FloweringDrought TolerantSucculentPollinator MagnetDesertLongevousSpiky/ThornyGiant
What this page adds
The century plant has a large, striking rosette of thick, fleshy leaves, typically blue-green to gray-green, edged with sharp spines and a terminal spike. After many years, it produces a towering flower stalk with clusters of yellow-green flowers.
Ancient peoples used the plant's sharp leaf tips as ready-made needles for sewing!
Despite their name, most century plants bloom after 10-30 years, not 100!
Some species grow their giant flower stalk incredibly fast, over a foot a day!
