Agave parrasana

Description: In habitat, Agave parrasana is a relatively small sized plant that produces few or no offsets. Individual plants will grow to about 2 feet tall and 2-3 feet across. The leaves are a waxy blue-gray and closely overlapping. They are short and broad, measuring 8-12 inches long and nearly 6 inches wide. The teeth are largest near the leaf tip, getting smaller towards the base. The flower stalk is a 15-20 foot tall panicle (branching type) with large, reddish to purplish bracts that subtend the clusters of flowers. In bud, the flowers are flushed with red or purple and open yellow. Remember that the plant will flower once, then it dies.

Habitat and Distribution: Agave parrasana is found in chaparral shrub and pine-oak forests on limestone in a few mountains in southeastern Coahuila, Mexico from 4,500-8,000 feet elevation. 

Culture: Agave parrasana is a cold hardy species, tolerating temperatures down to at least 15 degrees F. The plants are drought tolerant, requiring supplemental water once every 2 or 3 weeks in the summer. They are moderately slow growing, taking several years to achieve a mature size. Agave parrasana should be grown only in full sun. The leaves will keep their blue-gray color and the plants will stay more compact. Agave parrasana is native to limestone soil and should be planted in a soil with good drainage. For maintenance, the plants should be treated in the spring and summer for the Agave Snout Weevil. No other maintenance should be needed until the plant flowers, at which point the mother plant will need to be removed.

Uses: Agave parrasana  makes a great potted plant as well as an excellent landscape plant.
 

A field grown specimen of Agave parrasana.	A close up of the leaves of Agave parrasana.

To print Hit the Blue Agave