'Other-worldly:' Rare century-plant blooms 20-feet-high in Raleigh neighborhood

The marvel of seeing a century-plant in full bloom, with towering 20-foot stalks and leaves, is something some people only see once in a lifetime. It looks like something out of a Jurassic Park movie.

According to legend, the century-plant – known also as agave americana – only blooms once every 100 years. Then, it dies.

Not quite a full century, one Raleigh neighborhood has waited an impressively patient 25 years to see their century-plant's massive bloom.

When Alan Tharp and his wife first brought the plant home from the J.C. Raulston Arboretum a quarter-century ago, they didn't realize how special it was.

"It was only about 2 to 3 inches tall," says Tharp. "And it stayed that way for many years."

Suddenly, the small agave they'd had in their yard for years began to grow -- and GROW.

"Even before it bloomed, the plant was huge. People would stop to take photos of it," says Tharp.

It was then he realized he had a century-plant – but he never imagined it would bloom so soon.

Five weeks ago, the unusual plant began to change once again -- growing a stalk from the center of its already impressive 5-foot-tall succulent leaves. So far, it's shot up to 20 feet in the past five weeks, and it's still growing each day.

"The neighbors congregate daily to see the progress and marvel at the 20-foot bloom and prehistoric-looking leaves," says neighbor Mary-Catherine.

The blooming of a century plant is a rare enough sight that people often travel in order to see them. Several years ago when one bloomed on the NC coast, people made the pilgrimage to pose next to it for photos.

"It's been such a great community-builder in our neighborhood," says Mary-Catherine. "We've met neighbors, had conversations together. We meet out there almost every night to watch its progress."

Tharp says he's touched that his century plant has brought the neighborhood together.

"People drive by all the time," he says.

Near the end of a century plant’s life, its inflorescence shoots up to heights of up to 30 or more feet. Known as a 'monocarpic' plant, it will only flower once in its lifetime -- then die.

"It's absolutely other-worldly to look at," says Mary-Catherine.

Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, once the century-plant dies, it leaves offspring behind -- with new seeds left behind to start the cycle anew.

But it'll be another 'century' before the new plant blooms – creating another 'once-in-a-lifetime' experience for a new generation.

The century plant is located on Merwin Road between Liles Road and Lorimer Road in Raleigh.

Tharp welcomes people to drive past and see the once-in-a-lifetime blooms and stalk of the century-plant – but be aware it's on private property, so please be respectful and stay on the road or sidewalk.