Polyanthus Lily Agave amica
Other Common Name(s):
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.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Marginata'
Miniature variegated - 'Mexican Single'
Single Form - 'The Pearl'
Double flowers
- 'Marginata'
- 'Marginata', 'Mexican Single', 'The Pearl'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Marginata'
Miniature variegated - 'Mexican Single'
Single Form - 'The Pearl'
Double flowers
- 'Marginata'
- 'Marginata', 'Mexican Single', 'The Pearl'
- Tags:
-
-
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.
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-
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
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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.
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-
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.
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-
Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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-
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
