Agave parviflora aka Little Princess Agave

Agave parviflora is a small, evergreen succulent in the Asparagaceae family. Its native range runs from southern Arizona into Sonora, Mexico. It grows in dry shrubland and desert regions. Wild plants occupy open, rocky slopes in grassland and oak woodland. Gardeners also know it as smallflower century plant or smallflower agave.

The plant forms a compact rosette and may produce basal offsets. The leaves are dark green, stiff, narrow, and sharply pointed. White marks cross their waxy surfaces. Fine white threads curl away from the leaf edges. These marks and threads give the small plant a clear pattern. Rosettes stand about 0.3–0.8 feet [0.1–0.25 metres] tall. LLIFLE gives a width of about 0.5–0.7 feet [0.15–0.2 metres]. RHS allows a broader garden size range in both dimensions. Its upper limit reaches 1.6 feet [0.5 metres].

Flowers appear in spring, once plants reach about 10–15 years old. The small blooms are pale yellow or cream. They grow in clusters along the upper part of the stalk. RHS describes flower stems reaching about 4.9 feet [1.5 metres]. LLIFLE gives a taller extreme of 8.2 feet [2.5 metres]. The stalk may be green or tinged with red. Small, egg-shaped capsules follow the flowers. The seeds have a rounded, wedge-like shape.

Give this agave soil that drains well and a sheltered site. RHS lists sandy or loamy soil with acid or neutral pH. Outdoor plants can grow in full sun or light shade. Under glass, RHS advises bright light filtered from direct sun. Use cactus compost and water moderately during active growth. Let the soil dry well before watering again. Keep it almost dry through winter. RHS rates it H2, so protect it from freezing. LLIFLE reports possible survival near 23°F [-5°C] when dry. That lower figure is not a firm hardiness guarantee.

Its neat form suits pots, patios, courtyards, and Mediterranean-style gardens. RHS also lists coastal gardens among its uses. Plants need no pruning, and offsets provide a means of propagation. Scale insects may attack, though RHS reports few disease problems. Handle the plant with gloves because it can irritate skin. Keep it away from pets that may chew the leaves. RHS warns that eating it can harm cats and dogs.