How to Grow a Century Plant

Find an area of the garden that gets full sun, is well drained and is away from overhead power lines because the bloom stalk can reach 30 feet tall. The location should be free of foot traffic and away from areas where pets and children frequently play. The leaves of a century plant are stiff and pointed enough to enter a human body if someone fell onto the plant.

Dig a hole big enough for the root section of the century plant. It should be wide enough to accommodate the roots of the plant and deep enough so the plant is at the same level it was planted in its previous location.

Remove the plant from the nursery pot or container while wearing safety goggles and gloves and plant in new location. Add water as you replace soil around the plant to prevent air pockets from forming around the roots.

Water the century plant occasionally during extremely hot weather if leaves begin to look discolored. Water over the top and allow the water to run down the leaves into the middle of the rosette, or the center of the plant, where the leaves come together. Do not water too often or the plant will begin to rot.

Allow the bloom to completely bloom out and fall over. The main plant will eventually die after expending all its energy producing the magnificent bloom. Once the main plant declines, it can removed from the landscape or allowed to decay if removal is difficult.