Giant Agave Plant Puts On A Show Near Judah & 12th Avenue

Giant Agave Plant Puts On A Show Near Judah & 12th AvenuePhoto: Jonathan Gerfen/Hoodline
Jonathan Gerfen
Published on July 02, 2015

A few days ago, tipster Mark G. wrote in to tell us about a plant on 12th Avenue that's in spectacular bloom. Summer weather transforms much of the Inner Sunset's flora, but this particular flower is especially dramatic: at approximately 25 feet, the stalk is higher than nearby utility wires.

"I've always been impressed by this giant plant since moving into the neighborhood, and was especially curious when it started growing its stalk a couple weeks ago," wrote Mark G., who correctly identified the plant as an Agave americana variegata specimen.

Photo: Jonathan Gerfen/Hoodline

Agave americana is known colloquially as the "century plant," though it usually lives between 10 and 30 years. (One notable exception is this plant, which grew for 80 years and reached 28 feet tall before blooming, then dying, earlier this year.)

This particular specimen is probably reaching the end of its life, as blooming tends to happen shortly before the plant dies. The variegated type represented here is identified by the yellow bands on the edges of its leaves. 

The owner of the home provided some background information on the plant. "We moved into the house in 1988," owner Sharon told us. "And when we arrived there was a huge agave plant in the backyard which bloomed several years later. It looked just like this one does now, and I've often wondered if this agave in front came from a seed of the one in back." Sharon provided a photo from 1998 of the plant in front, showing how small it originally was. "I think it was the small one on the right." 


Native to Mexico and the southwestern U.S., Agave Americana "spreads by suckers and over time it can form a mass or colony," said Marc Johnson of the San Francisco Botanical Garden. "It's able to grow in many different habitats and conditions and has naturalized in many parts of the world." 

Golden Gate Park Administrator John McLaren in the Arizona Garden (photo via Conservatory of Flowers)

Johnson said the plant has been used to produce medicine and fibers that were used to create rope or coarse cloth. "Currently, it's often used as an ornamental and sometimes used for erosion control," he added. In Golden Gate Park, the Arizona Garden near the Conservatory of Flowers contains agave specimens that date back to the park's creation. Today, most agave is processed to create a syrup that's used as a sugar substitute or is distilled to create mezcal, a potent beverage.

"I will drink some mezcal in its honor when it is gone," promises our tipster. He may be joined by the plant's owner, Sharon. "It's been remarkable watching the plant grow so big over the years and especially lately seeing how tall the stalk has become," she said. "I will miss it when it's gone."