Agaves are rosette plants that live for several to many years before flowering. Each rosette will flower only once, then die. The English common name, Century Plant, is based on the mistaken belief that the plants grow for 100 years before blooming. In fact, some of the smaller species flower when only 3 to 4 years old. The larger species may live for 40 to 50 years before flowering.
Several species are of global economic importance.
Agave sisalana , the source of sisal fiber, is cultivated in plantations in Africa and Asia. Other species are grown world-wide as ornamentals. In Mexico and Central America, Agave fourcroydes and A. sisalana are widely cultivated for fiber. The most important economic use of agaves is production of mescal and tequila. These products are worth millions of dollars to the Mexican economy.