Cabbage head agave
Agave parrasana · Asparagaceae
📷 Аимаина хикари · Public domain
⚠️ Enfants : feuilles et bords coupants par contact causent coupures et irritation dermatologique.
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around cabbage head agave and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Blooming
- June to August
- Adult size
- 60 cm tall × 60 to 90 cm wide
- Growth rate
- Slow to moderate
- Hardiness
- Down to approximately −10°C
- Origin
- Mexico (State of Coahuila)
- Leaf type
- Fleshy, gray-blue, arranged in compact rosette
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability medium.
Expert tips
The key tip
Once established (2 years), Agave parrasana tolerates complete drought: wait for that timeframe before forgetting about it. Before then, water lightly during growth, very sparingly in winter.
The common mistake
Dies from overwatering more than drought: damp overwintering can weaken the rosette in February-March.
The pro's trick
Plant in dry rockery or raised container with gravel to keep the rosette dry.
Care
Watering
Agave parrasana is highly drought-resistant: water moderately during growth (spring-summer), then reduce drastically in fall-winter. In a pot, let the substrate dry completely between waterings. Excess water is the main enemy—prefer underwatering to overwatering.
Light exposure
Place this agave in full sun, ideally at least 6 hours daily. Maximum light reinforces the gray-blue tint of its foliage and maintains compact, harmonious growth. Indoors, position it near a very bright south- or west-facing window.
Soil and drainage
Use very well-draining substrate: special cactus and succulent potting mix, or prepare equal parts universal potting soil and coarse sand or pumice. Excellent drainage is essential to prevent root rot. Avoid any soil that retains moisture.
Fertilizing
Apply low-nitrogen fertilizer (rich in potassium and phosphorus) about once monthly during the growing period (April to September). Stop fertilizing completely in fall and winter. Over-fertilizing encourages weak growth and weakens the plant.
Pruning and maintenance
No pruning is strictly necessary. Simply remove dead or damaged leaves at the base. After flowering, the main rosette may produce lateral shoots: you can divide these to propagate the plant or leave them to form a dense colony.
Diseases and pests
Agave parrasana is very resistant to pests. Main problems stem from excess moisture (root or collar rot): promote air circulation and practice minimal watering. In case of mealybug infestation, clean with cotton soaked in 70% alcohol.
Did you know?
Agave parrasana is called the 'cabbage agave' because of its extremely compact, squat form, which resembles a small cabbage head. This Mexican agave is far hardier than many of its relatives and can survive cold winters in temperate zones, making it an excellent choice for minimalist gardens or well-drained rock gardens.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring, once all risk of frost has gone. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: from April to June.
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Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.