6 named cultivars

cactus succulentN. America Native

Parry's Agave

Q: What zones can Parry's Agave grow in?

Parry's Agave is hardy in USDA Zones 8–10. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Q: Is Parry's Agave deer resistant?

Yes — Parry's Agave is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

Q: When does Parry's Agave bloom?

Parry's Agave typically blooms in summer through late fall. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Q: Does Parry's Agave need full sun?

Parry's Agave does best in full sun (6+ hours).

Q: Is Parry's Agave drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Parry's Agave handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.

Agave parryi

$32.00

The Story

Plant Bio

Agave parryi, Parry's agave, is a compact evergreen succulent native to the southwestern United States and Mexico, forming a tight rosette one to three feet across. Thick grey-green to blue-grey leaves are held in a dense whorl, each edged with dark teeth and tipped with a single sharp terminal spine. Tall yellow flower spikes appear only once, at maturity.

It is monocarpic: after ten to twenty years the rosette sends up a flower stalk twelve to twenty feet tall, sets seed, and then dies — leaving offsets around the base to carry on. Among the hardiest agaves, it survives well below freezing given sharp drainage, and the terminal spine is stiff enough to warrant siting it away from paths.

Uses & Benefits:

A geometric blue-grey rosette holding perfect form year-round with no maintenance.

Survives drought, heat and cold that defeat most succulents, given sharp drainage.

The flower spike is a major nectar source for bees, and for bats and hummingbirds in its native range.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Cactus Succulent

Height

24 inches

Width

36 inches

Light

Full Sun

Zones

8, 9, 10

Water

Low

Humidity

Low

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

Southwestern United States and Mexico

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Marketplace

Where to Buy

Plant Delights Nursery

<1 Gal Pot1+ Gal Pot

In Stock$32.00

Fast Growing Trees

In Stock$167.95

Shipping costs Year-round shipping Free shipping

Planting

How to Grow

Plant in spring in very sharply drained gritty soil.
Choose full sun.
Site it away from paths; the terminal spines are hazardous.
Water sparingly; overwatering is the main cause of loss.
Remove offsets to propagate or to keep the clump tidy.
Keep winter moisture off the crown in cold regions.

Pro Tip

Winter wet kills it far more often than winter cold — grit, slope and sharp drainage matter more than the temperature rating.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Plant in gritty sharply drained soil 🪨
Site away from paths and seating ⚠️
Water sparingly ☀️
Remove offsets to propagate 🌱

Don't

Overwater, especially in winter ❌
Plant in heavy or wet soil ❌
Site it where children run past ❌

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Monitor
Water

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Architectural focal point in a dry gardenContainer and patio specimenRock and gravel garden

Companion Plants

Blue Grama Desert Willow Blanketflower Autumn Sage Prickly Pear

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Parry's Agave questions

What zones can Parry's Agave grow in?

Parry's Agave is hardy in USDA Zones 8–10. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Parry's Agave deer resistant?

Yes — Parry's Agave is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Parry's Agave bloom?

Parry's Agave typically blooms in summer through late fall. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Parry's Agave need full sun?

Parry's Agave does best in full sun (6+ hours).

Is Parry's Agave drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Parry's Agave handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.