Actual size and flowering may vary slightly based on season.
Desert Rose Agave (Parasana)
Desert Rose Agave, Agave parrasana, forms a tight, symmetrical rosette of short, broad blue-gray leaves, which is why it is also called cabbage agave. It usually grows as a single rosette about 1 to 3 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide. It comes from the mountains of Coahuila, Mexico, and handles cold down to about 10°F. It makes a strong accent in a rock garden, a bed or a large pot.
Best for: rock and succulent gardens, beds and borders, patio pots, and a bold accent in a desert yard kept back from walks.
Its stout blue-gray leaves form a tight, symmetrical rosette that stands out among boulders and gravel. Plant it 2 to 3 feet apart in a group.
It usually grows as one rosette and rarely makes pups, so it keeps a clean shape in a bed or border without spreading.
It grows slowly to about 2 to 3 feet across, which suits a large patio container. Use a pot with a drainage hole and fast-draining soil.
Soil that stays damp can rot it, and overwatered agaves draw the snout weevil. The leaf edges have teeth and a sharp tip, so keep it back from walks.
- Group planting2-3 ft apart
- Tight group2 ft apart
Plant into dry soil and wait about 1 to 2 weeks before the first watering, or up to a month in cool weather. Then water about every other week while nights stay above 60°F.
Once rooted, water about every 2 to 3 weeks in summer and let the soil dry between soaks. Water little or none in winter.
It takes full sun, but in the low desert it prefers some light shade. A spot with afternoon shade in summer suits it.
Damp, poorly drained soil can rot it, and weak, overwatered agaves draw the snout weevil. If the plant wilts and rocks loose, remove it and the grubs in the soil.
Drainage test first. Dig the hole and fill it with water. If water is still sitting in the hole a day later, you likely hit caliche, clay or hard soil, so fix the drainage before planting. If it drains very fast, the soil is sandy. Standing water around roots is a common reason new plants fail.
Weed cloth. Cut it away from the planting hole and where the roots will spread. Remove any plastic sheeting completely, since it keeps water and air out of the soil.
Rock or decomposed granite with no soil underneath. Bring in soil close in texture to your native soil, mix it with the soil below, and build up enough depth for roots before planting.
If you can break through. Use a breaker bar, pick, or jackhammer. Dig through the caliche and break out the solid chunks. Backfill with the soil you dug out, with no compost or manure in the hole. Confirm drainage before planting.
If you cannot break through. Dig narrow holes through the hard layer beside the root ball, not under it, and refill them with the same soil, not gravel. If it still will not drain, plant on a low mound of the same soil.
Root ball. Check the outside edges for any roots circling around. Loosen or cut those so they grow outward. Do not break up the center of the root ball.
Depth. The top of the root ball should sit at or just slightly above the surrounding soil level. Planting too deep can lead to rot and kill the plant.
Drip emitters. At planting, put the emitters on the root ball, on different sides of the plant. After about 2 months, move them to the outer edge of the root ball. Over the first year, add emitters farther out toward the edge of the branches as roots grow. Once a plant is rooted, never water only at the trunk.
What is Desert Rose Agave?
It is Agave parrasana, also called cabbage agave, from the mountains of Coahuila, Mexico. Its short, broad blue-gray leaves form a tight rosette.
How big does Desert Rose Agave get?
It grows about 1 to 3 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide. It is slow, so it takes years to reach full size.
How far apart should I plant it?
Plant about 2 to 3 feet apart, center to center, for a group. The Spacing tab will count plants for your bed.
Does it need shade in Phoenix?
It takes full sun, but in the low desert it prefers some light shade. Give it a spot with afternoon shade in summer if you can.
How cold hardy is Desert Rose Agave?
It is hardy to about 15°F, so a Valley winter will not hurt it. Keep the soil dry in winter, since cold, wet soil is the bigger risk.
How often should I water it?
Once rooted, water about every 2 to 3 weeks in summer. Water little or none in winter, and always let the soil dry between soaks.
Does it make pups?
It rarely makes pups and usually grows as a single rosette, so do not count on pups to replace it after it blooms.
Does it die after blooming?
Yes. After many years it sends up a branched stalk of yellow flowers with purple edges, and then that rosette dies. Remove the dead plant once it dries.
How is it different from Parry's agave?
It looks a lot like Parry's agave, with a tight gray rosette and teeth along the leaves. Parry's makes pups over time, while this one rarely does.
Is it poisonous to pets?
Agaves are mildly poisonous if chewed. The sap can irritate a pet's mouth and skin and upset the stomach, so keep pets from chewing on it.
Desert Rose Agave (Parasana) for sale in Arizona, delivered to you
Desert Rose Agave (Agave parrasana), also called cabbage agave, comes from limestone mountains in southeastern Coahuila, Mexico. It forms a tight rosette of stout blue-gray leaves and is hardy to about 15°F. Below: size, spacing, sun, water, cold, blooming and how it compares with Parry's agave.
Sourced from trusted Arizona growers and delivered directly to your door, job site, or property. We deliver across the Valley and to nearby towns, and quote delivery anywhere else in Arizona.
What is Agave parrasana?
Agave parrasana, sold here as Desert Rose Agave, is also called cabbage agave. It grows on limestone mountains in southeastern Coahuila, Mexico, and forms a tight rosette of stout blue-gray leaves.
How big does Desert Rose Agave get in Arizona?
It reaches about 1 to 3 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide, growing slowly. It usually stays a single rosette.
How far apart do you plant Agave parrasana?
Plant about 2 to 3 feet apart, center to center. The Spacing tab on this page counts plants for your bed.
Is Agave parrasana cold hardy?
Yes. It is hardy to about 15°F, well below a normal Valley winter. Keep it dry in winter to avoid rot.
Watering Agave parrasana in Phoenix
Once rooted, water about every 2 to 3 weeks in summer. Let the soil dry between soaks and water little or none in winter.
Agave parrasana vs Parry's agave
The two look alike, with tight gray rosettes and toothed leaves. Parry's agave makes pups over time, while Agave parrasana rarely does.
When does Agave parrasana bloom?
After many years it sends up a tall, branched stalk of bright yellow flowers edged in purple. Then that rosette dies, as with most agaves.
We deliver across the Valley, from Phoenix, Scottsdale and Mesa out to San Tan Valley, Maricopa and Casa Grande, and up to Prescott, Sedona, Payson and Globe. See delivery areas and rates.