Mangave - The Ultimate Growing Guide from Proven Winners®
This modern hybrid succulent adds a unique touch to containers and beds
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Mangave (x Mangave) is a captivating ornamental plant that is relatively new to home gardeners. This hybrid cross between agave and manfreda showcases the best traits of each plant, with the heat tolerance and structural characteristics of agave combined with the fast-growing tropical attributes of manfreda. Varieties occur in a wide range of unique colors, patterns and leaf shapes, owing to their manfreda parentage. With increased exposure to uv light from the sun, the foliage color and patterns become more pronounced.
Mangave is most often grown in containers, but can also be used in garden beds, rock gardens and mass plantings. Most varieties of this tender succulent are hardy to USDA zones 9-11, and are grown as an annual. In colder climates, mangave can be overwintered indoors as a houseplant. With a higher moisture tolerance than most other succulents, mangave can be planted alongside annuals and tropicals that require more water. Keep reading for more on how to grow and use this cool plant in your home and landscape.
MANGAVE CARE & PLANTING
How to plant: Mangave prefers a site with at least 6 hours of full sun and well-draining soil. Plant outdoors in spring when all danger of frost is past. Follow these steps, spacing plants 10 to 20 inches apart, depending on the variety.
1. Loosen soil in the planting area. Sand, perlite or gravel can be added to improve drainage.
2. Remove the plant from its nursery container and gently tease out roots if potbound.
3. Dig a hole slightly wider and deeper than the root ball. Place in the hole so the crown of the plant is level with the surrounding soil.
4. Fill in the hole with soil, tamp down lightly to remove air pockets, and water well. Keep plants watered regularly until established.
Soil: Provide soil for mangave that is sandy or loam with excellent drainage. Avoid heavy clay soil. For containers, use a potting mix specially formulated for cacti and succulents. As an alternative, use an all-purpose potting mix, adding sand and perlite for extra drainage.
Watering: Like all succulents, mangave has high drought tolerance, but can withstand more water than most other succulents. Regular watering will speed up growth, while less water will keep plants smaller. Allow soil to dry out in between waterings. Overwatering may result in root rot. Avoid overhead watering or splashing the leaves, which may cause crown rot or foliage damage.
Fertilizing: Mangave needs little or no supplemental fertilizer. If desired, feed during the growing season with a fertilizer formulated for succulents according to package instructions. Avoid over-fertilizing, and cease fertilizing during winter months.
Pruning: Remove any dead or damaged foliage back to the base of the plant as needed. No other pruning is necessary.
TRY THESE PROVEN WINNERS® VARIETIES
Try some of these beautiful mangave varieties:
Zones: 7-11 Height: 8” - 10” Spread: 18” - 20” |
Zones: 9-11 Height: 8” - 10” Spread: 18” - 20” |
Art & Sol™ ‘Thunderbird’ is a smaller variety with a symmetrical habit and thick, upright leaves. The red coloring of the foliage is due to the heavily distributed red spots that create an eye-catching effect. Zones: 9-11 Height: 8” - 10” Spread: 10” - 12” |
Art & Sol™ ‘Tooth Fairy’ has cool blue-green leaves with faint spots. The thick fleshy leaves are edged with long pronounced spines in variable colors of orange, yellow and cinnamon brown for striking contrast. Zones: 8-10 Height: 10” - 12” Spread: 16” - 18” |
Art & Sol™ ‘Lavender Lady’ has a symmetrical habit and broad pointed leaves. The smoky purple foliage is edged with tiny white spines for elegant sophistication. Zones: 9-11 Height: 8” - 10” Spread: 12” - 16” |
Art & Sol™ ‘Night Owl’ is a compact variety with an upright habit and wide, curvy leaves. The thick dark-green leaves have spiny edges, and are heavily covered with purple spots to create a nearly black appearance. Zones: 9-11 Height: 6” - 8” Spread: 16” - 18” |
MANGAVE FAQ’s
What is the difference between Mangave and Agave?
Mangave tends to be more compact than agave, with softer leaves and spines that make plants easier to handle.
Is Mangave cold hardy?
Most mangave plant varieties are hardy to USDA zones 9-11, though some are cold-hardy in zones 7-8. Plants can tolerate light frost, but perform best in temperatures of 60 to 85 degrees F.
Do Mangaves like full sun?
Mangaves prefer at least 6 hours of full sun per day. Less light will result in faded coloring. For more vivid leaf patterns and colors, move plants to a spot that receives more hours of direct sunlight.
Why are my Mangave leaves turning yellow?
Yellow leaves can be a symptom of many different problems. These can include too little light, overwatering, underwatering, nutritional deficiency, or sudden environmental changes. Diagnose the problem and treat accordingly.
How long do Mangaves live?
In colder climates, mangaves grown outdoors will survive a single growing season. In frost-free regions, mangave may flower after several years, then die back, leaving offsets that form new plants.
When to repot Mangave?
Repot mangave every 2 to 3 years in fresh soil medium. The best time to transplant is in spring when plants are actively growing. Use well-draining soil and make sure pots have adequate drainage holes to prevent root rot.
MANGAVE LANDSCAPING IDEAS
Here are some ideas on how to use mangave in your home and landscape:
- Place mangave plants in containers that are easy to move around, and bring indoors during winter months.
- Adorn a rock garden with mangave plants and intersperse with echeveria, sedums and other succulents for a season-long mosaic of color.
- Plant several mangaves in decorative pots and group them together on a sunny patio or deck for a compelling low-maintenance display.
- Include mangave in a fire-resistant landscape with other durable succulents, shrubs, trees, and perennials. Find more fire-resistant plants.
- Bring potted mangave plants indoors for the winter as a decorative living accent. Display next to a sunny window or under grow lights.
- Use mangave to create architectural interest in beds or containers, as a showy focal point by itself, or in combination with other structural plants.
- Create an eclectic display in a garden bed with mangaves and companion plants such as sedum, sempervivum, ornamental grasses, and drought-tolerant perennials such as coneflower, lavender and yarrow.
- Plant a waterwise curbside strip with mangaves and other drought-tolerant plants such as ornamental grasses, sedges, succulents and native perennials.
MANGAVE COMPANION PLANTS
Plant mangave with other plants that prefer full sun and well drained soil.
Use in a waterwise strip alongside:
- Double Coded® ‘Everything’s Rosy’ coneflower
- Graceful Grasses® Toffee Twist sedge
- ‘Firefly Red Pop’ yarrow
- Bright Lights™ Red African daisy
Plant in a rock garden in combination with:
- Kaleidoscope™ ‘Dancing Embers’ hardy ice plant
- Prairie Winds® 'Brush Strokes' little bluestem
- Rock ’N Low® ‘Boogie Woogie’ stonecrop
- ‘Paint the Town Fancy’ pinks
Plant a succulent garden in a large decorative container or trough using mangave in combination with:
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