It’s the beginning of the end for a well-known succulent at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, but before the plant dies it is going to go out with a bloom instead of a bang.
The Agave ovatifolia, also known as a frosty blue succulent, is a sight to see. Standing at more than 14 feet tall with greenish-yellow flowers blooming from it, the stunning stage for the plant technically means it is on its deathbed. There is limited time left to see this happen.
What is a Death Bloom?
Death bloom is when a plant dies after it has bloomed and produced seeds. The agave takes anywhere from 10 to 15 years to bloom. When the time is right, the agave plant does not disappoint. In June 2024, it sprouted a 14-foot stem. In the middle of July 2024, the flowers began to open. It will be gone in August 2024. We hope that you get a chance to experience it!
“While fascinating and beautiful, death for this 10-year-old plant is imminent,” according to the Horticulture team at the Botanical Garden. “Agave are monocarpic, meaning they flower and produce seeds only once, and then die. Hence the name.”
There are many beautiful desert plants in the Botanical Garden still to enjoy.
