About

Agave parryi subsp. parryi is a perennial succulent that develops a compact rosette of thick, blue-green leaves that narrow to a point. Each leaf is adorned with prominent dark brown teeth and spines at the tip. When mature, this species can send up a tall flower spike, which bears clusters of small yellow flowers that exhibit red hues while in bud. Following the flowering period, the central rosette will die back.

About the genus

Agave consists of either perennial or monocarpic succulents that develop rosettes of typically stiff, thick, spiny leaves. The plants produce funnel-shaped flowers in racemes or panicles that often exceed the height of the rosettes.

Growing conditions

Sunlight

Full sun

Soil type

Loam, Sand

Soil pH

Acid, Neutral

Soil moisture

Moist but well-drained, Well-drained

Aspect

South-facing

Exposure

Exposed, Sheltered

UK hardiness

H2

Plant details

Plant type

Cactus Succulent, Conservatory Greenhouse

Habit

Clump forming

Foliage

Evergreen

Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Spread

0.5-1 metres

Time to full height

10-20 years

Suggested uses

City and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Gravel garden, Patio and container plants, Sub-tropical

Native to

S USA & Mexico

Toxicity

Skin irritant. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets (dogs, cats): harmful if eaten. For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants

Care notes

Cultivation

Grow under glass in cactus compost, water freely when in growth, but keep almost dry over winter. Apply a dilute, liquid fertiliser 3 or 4 times during the growing season. Can be moved to a sunny spot outdoors in summer, but needs to overwinter in a greenhouse or conservatory. See houseplant cacti and succulent cultivation for more advice

Pruning

No pruning required

Propagation

Propagate by seed, or by removing offsets in spring or autumn

Pest resistance

May be susceptible to scale insects

Disease resistance

Generally disease-free