century plant
noun
: a Mexican agave (Agave americana) that takes many years to mature, flowers only once, and then dies
Examples of century plant in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The large, broad leaves — or pencas — of blue agaves, century plants and similar species have value, according to UC Davis professor Samuel Sandoval Solis, a water resource specialist.
—
Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 3 Jan. 2026
Once the plant finally flowers, Flournoy will look forward to watching another century plant grow in its place.
—Sydney Page, Washington Post, 6 July 2023
Probably sooner than later your agave plant, also known as the century plant, is going to flower as can be detected by its size in an accompanying photo.
—Tom MacCubbin, Orlando Sentinel, 1 Oct. 2022
These insects bore into the bases of the leaves of large species of agaves, most notably Agave americana (century plants) and lay their eggs.
—Neil Sperry, ExpressNews.com, 2 Jan. 2020
Agave deserti, commonly called the century plant, though my private name for it is suicide bloom, since the whole plant will die after this display, after its bushy yellow panicles spread as high as 30 feet into the sky.
—Claire Vaye Watkins, Outside Online, 15 May 2017
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Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 3 Jan. 2026
Once the plant finally flowers, Flournoy will look forward to watching another century plant grow in its place.
—Sydney Page, Washington Post, 6 July 2023
Probably sooner than later your agave plant, also known as the century plant, is going to flower as can be detected by its size in an accompanying photo.
—Tom MacCubbin, Orlando Sentinel, 1 Oct. 2022
These insects bore into the bases of the leaves of large species of agaves, most notably Agave americana (century plants) and lay their eggs.
—Neil Sperry, ExpressNews.com, 2 Jan. 2020
Agave deserti, commonly called the century plant, though my private name for it is suicide bloom, since the whole plant will die after this display, after its bushy yellow panicles spread as high as 30 feet into the sky.
—Claire Vaye Watkins, Outside Online, 15 May 2017
Cite this Entry
“Century plant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/century%20plant. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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