Agave parryi

RHS Plant Profile
Parry's agave
Parry's agave RHS
Award of Garden Merit
Cactus Succulent Conservatory Greenhouse

A rosette-forming, evergreen, perennial succulent. The leaves are grey-blue, tipped and edged with short, dark spines. After many years, dense clusters of yellow flowers, tinged red or pink in bud, are produced on a massive, branched, tree-like stem up to 5m tall

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
10–20 years
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid

Position

Full sun
Aspect
West–facing or South–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H2
Drought Resistance
Yes

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Asparagaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Bushy
Potentially harmful
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
Genus
Agave can be perennial or monocarpic succulents, forming rosettes of usually rigid, fleshy, spiny-edged leaves, with funnel-shaped flowers in racemes or panicles often much taller than the rosettes
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Arizona, Texas & N Mexico

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow under glass in cactus compost in full light. Water freely in summer, giving a low-nitrogen feed three or four times. Water less in autumn and keep dry in winter. Can move outdoors for summer. See houseplant cacti and succulent cultivation for further information

Propagation

Propagate by seed, or remove offsets

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Architectural
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Patio and container plants
  • Sub-tropical
  • Gravel garden

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to scale insects

Diseases

Generally disease-free