Rare Agave montana death bloom erupts in Kew Gardens after record heat
An agave montana planted two decades ago at Kew Gardens has begun its one-time death bloom, sending a five-metre stalk of yellow and pink flowers skyward.
Kew Gardens’ agave montana, introduced around 20 years ago, has entered its rare death bloom, producing a towering five-metre peduncle that will bear thousands of yellow and pink flowers next spring before the plant dies. Anna Lim described the event as a spectacular botanical occurrence that may only be witnessed once every few decades. The unprecedented summer heat is believed to have triggered the bloom, a view shared by Thomas Freeth, who warned it signals broader climate shifts.
Only two other specimens have flowered in the UK, the most recent in Norfolk in 2023, also tied to a heatwave. The succulents require no summer watering and can survive winter dormancy, making them suited to England’s recent drought-like conditions. Kew Gardens is actively searching the agave community for a suitable pollen donor to enable cross-pollination. Visitors are encouraged to see the bloom before the plant’s inevitable death.
Why it matters
The bloom highlights how extreme heat is affecting plant life, offering a visible sign of climate change.
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