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Amole Agave amica

Other plants called Amole:

Previously known as:

  • Polianthes tuberosa
Phonetic Spelling
a-GAH-vay uh-MEE-kuh
Description

A perennial succulent with fragrant, showy flowers that make a great cut flower.  While appearing to grow from bulbs, the plant is not a true bulb.  After planting 2" deep in the spring, it is important to keep moist throughout the season.  After the leaves begin to yellow, watering can be reduced as it goes dormant in the winter. Let the plant grow for a number of weeks after flowering before digging up tubers to make sure the leaves provide enough food to the tuber to create flowers for the following year.  Divide the plants every 3-4 years or flowering may be decreased.

It is classified as Tender II - injured below 50 degrees F (10 degrees C).

 

VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Houseplants, Succulents, and Cacti", a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.

More information on Agave.

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Marginata'
    Miniature variegated
  • 'Mexican Single'
    Single Form
  • 'The Pearl'
    Double flowers
'Marginata', 'Mexican Single', 'The Pearl'
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#showy flowers#deciduous#fragrant flowers#succulent#nectar plant#waxy#tuberous#flower arrangements#tropical herbaceous perennial#deer resistant#rhizomes#cutting garden#annual#moth friendly#wildlife friendly#hs303
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Marginata'
    Miniature variegated
  • 'Mexican Single'
    Single Form
  • 'The Pearl'
    Double flowers
'Marginata', 'Mexican Single', 'The Pearl'
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#showy flowers#deciduous#fragrant flowers#succulent#nectar plant#waxy#tuberous#flower arrangements#tropical herbaceous perennial#deer resistant#rhizomes#cutting garden#annual#moth friendly#wildlife friendly#hs303
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Agave
    Species:
    amica
    Family:
    Asparagaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Extracts used to make perfume.
    Life Cycle:
    Annual
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Mexico
    Wildlife Value:
    Nectar from flowers attract hummingbirds and moths.
    Bulb Storage:
    Once the plant dies back in the fall, store in a dry medium at 70-75 degrees F (10 degrees C).
    Dimensions:
    Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 6 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Succulent
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Maintenance:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Description:
    Dehiscent
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Spike
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Good Cut
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Funnel
    Tubular
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Waxy white to yellow flowers on elongated spikes bloom from the bottom to the top. Makes excellent long-lasting fragrant cut flower, even once cut.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Smooth
    Waxy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Rosulate
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    Grassy looking leaf.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Patio
    Small Space
    Landscape Theme:
    Cutting Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Rock Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Mass Planting
    Small groups
    Attracts:
    Hummingbirds
    Moths
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought