There's still (a little) time to see the agave death bloom in Des Moines

It's the beginning of the end for a well-known succulent at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, but before the plant dies it is going to go out with a bloom instead of a bang.

The agave ovatifolia, also known as a frosty blue succulent, is a sight to see. Standing at more than 14 feet tall with greenish-yellow flowers blooming from it, the stunning stage for the plant technically means it is on its deathbed. There is limited time left to see the Southern plant.

What is a death bloom?

Death bloom is when a plant dies after it has bloomed and produced seeds. The agave takes anywhere from 10 to 15 years to bloom. When the time is right, the agave plant does not disappoint. Two months ago, it sprouted a 15-foot stem. Just a week ago, the flowers began to open.

"While fascinating and beautiful, death for this 10-year-old plant is imminent," according to an email from the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden to the Register. "Agave are monocarpic, meaning they flower and produce seeds only once, and then die. Hence the name.⁠"

The botanical garden made a post in early July saying the flowers of the agave plant had started to open.

When is the best time to see the agave death bloom?

The plant typically dies just one or two days after the last flower blooms. Currently, very few buds are left on the agave, according to an email from the garden.

The garden is projecting around one to two more weeks before the entire agave plant dies. Frost blue succulents typically wilt from the bottom up.

How much are tickets at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden?

The Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, 909 Robert D. Ray Drive, is open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends. Tickets are $12 for adults, $11 for seniors and veterans, $9 for children ages 2-12, and free for anyone younger.

Reporting contributed by Ryan Magalhães .

Kate Kealey is a general assignment reporter for the Des Moines Register. Reach her at kkealey@registermedia.com or follow her on Twitter at @ Kkealey17 .

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: There's still (a little) time to see the agave death bloom in Des Moines