Century plant, Maguey

Description:

Solitary or slowly clumping succulent rosette that will grow to a height of 90-120 (150). The arching leaves are characteristically variegated and have a broad creamy white band down the centre of each leaf, with grey-blue sharp-spined edges.

Habitat:

Generally it is cultivated. But 10 years back there was a good population of these wonderful plants in Kasauli. Now there are only two in the whole region. Typically found at an altitude of 0 to 4,653 meters (0 to 15,266 feet). Agave americana is theoretically hardy to -9° C.

Notes:

Legend says that the Century Plant takes one hundred years to bloom . However, they tend to bloom much quicker in cultivation. Its flower stalk will grow at the incredible rate of 5 to 6 inches per day. The Century Plant will use all of its energy to produce this once-in-a-lifetime bloom. After it finishes flowering, it will die.