Polyanthus Lily Agave amica
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Polianthes tuberosa
- Phonetic Spelling
- a-GAH-vay uh-MEE-kuh
- Description
-
Tuberose is a herbaceous perennial in the agave family (Asparagaceae) native to Mexico.
The plant will grow 2-3 feet tall from a tuber resembling a bulb. Plant the tubers 2 inches deep in well-drained loamy or sandy soil and allow the soil to partially dry between watering. Reduce moisture once the leaves begin to yellow as the plant will go dormant. Lift tubers and store them inside in zones lower than 8 or grow them in pots and bring them inside for the winter. Allow the plant to naturally die down so sufficient energy is stored for next year's bloom. The tubers produce offsets and will need to be divided every 2-3 years.
Flowers are very showy and so fragrant they are used to make perfumes. Blooming is in spring or summer and flowers are waxy, tubular and white with 6 flared tepals. The leaves are up to 1.5 feet long and strap-like.
Use tuberose in the border in masse planting, in containers, near the patio or in a cutting garden.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Too wet soils can cause root rot. Watch for spider mites, aphids, scale insects, thrips, and anthracnose
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 - 'Sensation'
Fragrant pink flowers - 'The Pearl'
Double flowers
- 'Marginata'
- 'Marginata', 'Mexican Single', 'Sensation', 'The Pearl'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Marginata'
Miniature variegated - 'Mexican Single'
Single Form - 'Sensation'
Fragrant pink flowers - 'The Pearl'
Double flowers
- 'Marginata'
- 'Marginata', 'Mexican Single', 'Sensation', 'The Pearl'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Agave
- Species:
- amica
- Family:
- Asparagaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Extracts used to make perfume.
- Life Cycle:
- 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: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 6 in.
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-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Fine
-
-
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 Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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-
Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- Dries and splits to reveal many black seeds
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-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Spike
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Good Cut
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Tubular
- Flower Petals:
- 6 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Waxy white flowers on elongated spikes bloom from the bottom to the top. They are tubular with the tube being 2.5 inches long and flaring at the tip into 6 tepals.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Smooth
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Rosulate
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Strap-like leaves are slightly succulent, dull gray and 1-1.5 feet long and 1/2 inch wide.
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-
Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Tall green flowering stem
-
-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Patio
- Small Space
- Landscape Theme:
- Cutting Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Hummingbirds
- Moths
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
