Marvelous Mangave

Marvelous Mangave 

Mangave are exotic looking, evergreen, upright growing succulents with a broad array of foliage varying from narrow, arching, spear like shapes to broad, upright, flattened leaves, many with wavy to nearly crinkled edges.  They range in color from red to dark green to blue-grey and smokey purple to nearly black, many are bi or tri colored and nearly all have red to burgundy spots or freckles. Most Mangave varieties are edged in soft, nearly “poke-less” spines that are either straight and toothlike or hooked.  

The first identified Mangave is a naturally occurring, hybrid from the genus Manfreda and Agave which was originally found in Mexico. Since the identification of the parentage, much work has been put into the development of new varieties by continually cross pollenating various Agave and Manfreda species and varieties. Most varieties display the shape of the traditional Agave with the typical red to purple spots as well as the quicker growth rate of the Manfreda.    

Plant in full sun to part shade in well-draining, sandy soil:  the colors change and become more vibrant in the full sun.  They are drought tolerant but are best with some water through the summer.  Reduce water to slow its growth and remove side shoots to control size.   After several years of growth, a plant can send up a bloom branching stalk of yellow inflorescence.  The parent plant dies after bloom.  If a plant shows sign of blooming, allow side shoots to develop to extend the life of the plant.  They make an excellent focal point, look great planted in mass or as border or container plants.   

‘Bad Hair Day’:  12” x 3’:  Very narrow, fleshy, lime-green leaves forming a dense, rounded rosette.  Occasionally some leaves twirl aimlessly in random directions (bad hair day).  Leaves develop purple speckling in the sun. 

‘Desert Dragon’: 7-12” x 24” Heavily spotted, lime green leaves become silvery and more curled in drier seasons.

‘Moonglow’:  8-12” x 1-2’ Thick fleshy silvery-blue leaves densely covered with dark purple spots and edged with reddish colored fine teeth.

‘Macho Mocha’:  2-3’ x 4-6’ Thick fleshy gray-green, undulating leaves densely covered with brown-purple spots.

‘Silvery Fox’: 8-12” X 1-2’ Thick, fleshy light green, arching leaves are densely covered with a light blue-purple spotting under a waxy coating and edged with defined marginal teeth. 

‘Pineapple Express’:  18” x 24” Thick fleshy olive-green leaves heavily spotted with purple and becoming almost solid purple toward center.