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Asparagaceae
Mexican Tuberose
Agave amica
Intoxicating sensuality and dangerous pleasures.
- Family
- Asparagaceae
- Genus
- Agave
- Native to
- Mexico
- Bloom season
- Summer, Early Fall
- Type
- bulbous perennial
- Height
- 60–120 cm
- Sunlight
- full sun
- Soil
- rich, well-drained
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- 7–10
- Lifespan
- perennial bulb
Did you know
- The fragrance is so intense that Victorian moralists warned young women against inhaling it after dark.
- Tuberose is one of the most expensive perfumery ingredients — it takes roughly 3,600 kg of flowers to produce 1 kg of absolute.
- The flowers are most fragrant at night, releasing waves of heady sweetness to attract moth pollinators.
- In India, tuberose garlands ('rajanigandha') are essential for weddings and religious ceremonies.
- It was once classified as Polianthes tuberosa but has been reclassified into the agave family through DNA analysis.
Color meanings
White
voluptuous purity and nocturnal seduction