Agaves are among the most conspicuous plants of arid North America; their bold forms attract attention in any landscape whether natural or designed. They are often confused with Yucca plants. Agaves are characterized by succulent or semi-succulent leaves that form rosettes from a few centimetres to several meters across, but there are many variations on this basic pattern. Growing Agaves and other succulents from seed is an easy, economical way to build up large numbers of plants. It is also an opportunity to find a seedling that shows unique or unusual characteristics from the mother plant.

Agave parviflora is the smallest species of agave. It is composed of a small rosette, 10 to 25 cm high, 15 to 20 cm broad and single or sparsely suckering. Leaves are 6 to 20 cm long and 0.8 to 2 cm wide. They are dark green with a waxy coating and beautiful white markings on both surfaces and leaf margins. These markings result from the impression of developing leaf buds on the center of the rosette. White fibers peel off the outer edges of leaf margins. The inflorescence is between 1-2 m tall, and has cream-colored flowers in clusters of 1-4 on very short branches. Fruits mature into small ovoid capsules 6-10 mm in diameter. Agave parviflora is highly attractive to collectors. Plants offset freely, flowering between the ages of 10-15 years.