Designing with SucculentsHow to incorporate succulents and cacti into your garden design
Art & Sol ™ mangaves . picture by : Proven victor
If you garden in the desert Southwest , you are probably familiar with theagave plant , a drought - tolerant succulent admired for its dramatic architectural form . But you may not know about the up-to-the-minute succulent to sway the horticultural humankind — one that combines the anatomy and habit ofAgavewith the unequalled food coloring ofManfreda , result in an intergeneric crossbreeding that boasts the good timber of both .
Mangave(pronounced man - GAH - vay ) is a glossy newcomer that comes in an astonishing regalia of colour , sizes , and growth use , thanks to its hybrid parenthood . liken to plants in theAgavespecies , Mangavegrow quicker , can stick out higher floor of wet , and have softer , less prickly spine that make for soft handling . Many form also sport unequaled leaf feature of speech not commonly seen onAgave , such as attractive blob patterns and wavy edge .
Although they are untoughened perennials , Mangavecan be uprise as annual in colder mood or overwintered indoors as houseplants . Their bold , symmetrical form makes them ideal for use as striking stand - alone plants in containers and garden beds . Plus , they ’re deer and hare resistant , drouth tolerant , and nearly sustenance free .
On this Thomas Nelson Page : Basics|Planting|Care|Varieties|Frequently Asked Questions
BASICS
Botanical name:
xMangave
Common names:
Mangave
Plant type:
Tender perennial ( usually spring up as an annual )
Zones:
9 - 11 for most varieties , with some hardy to zone 7
Exposure:
Full sun
Height/spread:
6 to 24 inches improbable and 8 to 42 inches extensive , depend on the motley
Foliage color and characteristics:
Arranged in rose window , the leaves may be matte , wavy or curled , with an arched or vertical wont . leafage color runs the gamut from green to silver to endearing imperial , red , and variegated forms , often with striking stripe or dapple .
Special attributes:
' Lavender Lady ' mangave . Photo by : Proven Winners .
HOW TO PLANT MANGAVE
When to plant:
In spring , after the risk of hoar has happen . AlthoughMangavecan support a weak frost , they prefer temperatures that are systematically above 60 degree F.
Where to plant:
For the most vibrant folio color and spotting , works in an area that get full sunlight ( at least 6 hours daily ) . At gloomy lightsome levels , the color will fade but you could fix it by move your industrial plant to a bright , sunstruck locating .
Growing in containers:
Because of their diversity in shape and form , mangaves are well - become for patio containers of all sizing and even advert baskets , either alone or in combining with other succulents and annuals with similar moisture and exposure requirements .
When embed mangave alone in a container , use a well - draining soilless potting mixture , such as a succulent and cactus mix , and a container just slightly extensive than the width of the plant life ’s little potato . check that the potty has good deal of drain holes to prevent soggy soil .
Pro Tip
" One of my preferent plants for potty is mangave ! The structure gives the most interesting look to pots . And , if you combine it with a spiller , likeDichondra’Silver Falls ' or trailing ivy , it ’s a rattling combination ! Mangave can take more water than other succulent works , so it ’s perfect in combinations that necessitate more consistent tearing . " — Janey , ofDig , Plant , Water , repetition
MANGAVE CARE
Watering:
One of the greatest attributes of the mangave plant life is a tolerance for more water system than other succulents ( although extremely wet weather condition should be avoided ) . Mangaves are drought large-minded once demonstrate , but young plants will appreciate lachrymation during dry spell . Fun fact : Regularly watering a mangave actually produce it raise quicker ! If you ’re felicitous with the size of your mangave and want to slow its growth , just water it more sparingly . This gives you the ability to regulate the size of your plant and keep it in ratio to its container .
Fertilizing:
During the fighting growing time of year ( from spring through early free fall ) apply a fertilizer develop for succulents , following the dosage teaching on the bundle . Mangaves are not hard feeder and wo n’t gain from overfertilizing . Withhold feeding during the winter calendar month .
Pruning:
This low-spirited - sustainment flora needs no pruning or shaping to asseverate its show . However , you should hit any browning or discredited foliage by cut it off near the base of the leafage .
Pests and diseases:
Because of their thick , spiny leave , mangaves are rarely trouble oneself by insect pests or thirsty critters like deer and rabbits . However , they can develop root guff if allowed to sit too long in overly blotto dirt .
MANGAVE VARIETIES
Photo by : Proven Winners
Art & Sol ™ ' Bad Hair Day '
Zones:7 - 11Height and spread:8 to 10 inches tall , 18 to 20 in wide
Slender lime - green leaves with lightheaded blush - red speckling graciously arch from the snapper to make a cascading mound perfect for containers and hang basket . More cold audacious than other mangaves .
Art & Sol ™ ' Catch a Wave '
Zones:9 - 11Height and spread:8 to 10 in tall , 18 to 20 inches wide
silverish down in the mouth - green leaves with margins that curl upward are reminiscent of sea moving ridge . Finely toothed edge and big maroon spotting add further interest . Because of its unsloped habit , this plant looks as attractive viewed from the side as it does from the top .
Art & Sol ™ ' Lavender Lady '
Zones:9 - 10Height and spread:8 to 10 inches tall , 12 to 16 inches wide
duncish , dusky purple leaves arranged in a solitary stem canker make this an excellent bandstand - alone specimen in container plantings and in the landscape . Small livid spines and subtle purple spotting accentuate its beauty .
prowess & Sol ™ ' Night Owl '
Zones:9 - 11Height and spread:6 to 8 inches tall , 16 to 18 inch wide
A dramatic blend of almost pitch-dark folio accented by gruelling dark spotting . The wide leafage gently undulate to append dimension and a horse sense of front . Plant in full sunlight for the deepest foliage people of color .
Art & Sol ™ ' Thunderbird '
Zones:9 - 11Height and spread:8 to 12 in tall , 10 to 12 inches wide
leaf disingenuously coif in a stocky rosette are almost completely hatch with dark crimson spot , making the foliation come along to be more red than gullible . Ideal for add together structure to container planting , rock garden , and xeriscapes .
Art & Sol ™ ' Tooth Fairy '
Zones:9 - 10Height and spread:10 to 12 column inch tall , 16 to 18 inches wide
feature film tenacious and say fang - similar spines in colors ranging from cinnamon brown to yellow and orange . duncical blue - unripened leaves , set up in an vertical rose window , complement the colorful spines .
MAD ABOUT MANGAVE ® ' Pineapple Express '
Zones:9 - 10Height and spread:9 to 10 inches tall , 16 to 18 inches all-embracing
A spiky rosette of long , slender leafage resembles the top of a pineapple . Pronounced Burgundy wine spotting , brought out by exposure to lineal sunshine , enhances the minty - green leaves . A superb thriller works in miscellaneous container arrangements .
MAD ABOUT MANGAVE ® ' Mission to Mars '
Zones:8 - 10Height and spread:8 to 10 inches tall , 20 to 22 inches broad
Leaves to a great extent bespeckle with burgundy red post ensue in the acute red colouration of this unique selection . The long , curve leaves curl upward at the security deposit to show off cinnamon - colorful spines .
MAD ABOUT MANGAVE ® ' beg Hands '
Zones:9 - 11Height and spread:8 to 10 inches marvellous and wide
Dark green leaf curve inwards like the leaves of an artichoke on this distinctive mangave . The face is heighten by thin reddish - brown leaf margin and last sticker of the same colouration that nearly touch each other at the top .
MAD ABOUT MANGAVE ® ' dreadlock '
Zones:9 - 11Height and spread:10 to 12 in magniloquent , 36 to 40 in extensive
intemperately ruffled dark green folio resemble long locks of flowing hair’s-breadth , put in a slightly arching low - growing substance abuse . Mahogany spots , which are more to a great extent saturated at the center of each leaf , create an interesting stripy effect .
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is mangave cold hardy?
Most mangaves can outlive temperature as low as 20 to 30 level F , but plants should be protected or moved indoors if a hard frost is augur .
Do mangaves flower?
Although mangaves are chiefly grow for their leaf , one-time plants may bloom when grow under ideal conditions , institutionalise up tall steeple of cannular yellow blossoms similar to those seen on agave plant . Once a plant blooms , it will usually give out and leave behind small offsets , called " pups , " that form around the nucleotide . These can be remove to propagate new flora or allowed to grow in place and replace the parent plant .
How do you take care of mangave in the winter?
In regions with insensate winters , you should add potted mangave set indoors in early crepuscle before temperatures systematically drop below 60 degrees F. In warmer climates where mangave can be overwinter outdoors , the biggest concern is overwatering . Be certain to let the grease dry out out between waterings , since overly wet soil during the winter months can lead to root rot .
Can you grow mangave plants indoors?
Mangaves will do quite well indoors , as long as they receive enough sunlight and are kept at elbow room temperatures above 60 academic degree F. For the sound semblance retentivity , give your plants at least 6 hours of light daily by placing them near a cheery windowpane or under a grow light . During the wintertime calendar month , when plants are semi - dormant , cut back back on lacrimation frequence ( see10 Tips for Keeping Houseplants Healthy in Winter ) .
