Agave parrasana

This Mexican species is most easily identified by its thick triangular leaves, beautifully marked blue-green in color, arranged in a striking rosette and edged with equally thick brown and white spines. Plants form low dense mounds, each rosette eventually measuring 2 ft x 2 ft and, in time, sending up 12 ft branched flower spikes of warm yellow blushed apricot. Best in mineral soil, sharp drainage, full sun. This represents a high elevation collection at over 8,500 ft that has thus far withstood between 0 and 10F, USDA zone 7, with overhead protection from excess winter moisture. Stunning pot plant or container specimen.

Zn 7. Overlapping leaves and large curved teeth

Morning Sun to Partial Shade. Outdoor/Indoor. Light Green.

Agave parrasana is a beautiful species native to several mountain ranges in the state of Coahuila in north-central Mexico. Its habitats are remote, and perhaps this is why it is not often seen in cultivation despite its tolerance of freezing temperatures and its attractive compact heads of blue-green leaves. It typically puts out a modest number of offsets, but does not sucker prolifically like some other agaves. Like other agave species, A. parrasana is monocarpic. This means that each rosette of leaves flowers and produces seed only once at the end of its life cycle. Patience is required to witness its flowering, since plants often take 20 years or more to reach maturity. This species has the unusual habit of beginning to put out a flowering stalk in summer, then halting in the fall with the stalk part-way up, leaving a clump of thick bracts clustered at the tip to protect the developing flowers. After waiting out the winter, which can be quite cold in its mountain home, it resumes growth in spring. Floral branches emerge as the stalk lengthens, each ending in a cluster of red-tinged flowers which turn yellow as they open. The inflorescence normally attains a height of about 8 to 12 feet, not tall for an agave, but it is quite stout at its base. The flowering finishes nearly a year after the process began.

Dense, clumping 10" rosettes to 24"d.; moderate water, full sun. Hardy to 15 °F.

A very hardy Agave. Provide very good drainage and plenty of sun.