Mangave is a relatively new find in the succulent world. It is thought to be a hybrid of Agave macroacantha and Manfreda maculosa. It forms rosettes that average about 12 inches tall and 15 inches wide. Leaves are about 1 inch wide and 8 inches long. They are gray-green with small teeth along margin. Don't let the word "small" fool you, though. Those teeth can pack a mighty bite if you get too close to them.
The leaves are speckled with maroon spots, which gives "Bloodspot" its name. The leaf margins may also show some maroon tinting, especially if the plant is kept in full, bright, direct sunlight.
Mature mangaves may send up a flower stalk that can reach as tall as 6 feet. The stalk displays lime green flowers. Since this plant has only been in wide distribution for about six years, some of its characteristics aren't well known yet. Plants of the agave family generally will die after flowering. Manfreda family, also known as Texas Tuberose or Spice lily, can flower repeatedly without harming the parent plant. It's unknown yet which of its parents the Mangave will take after when it comes to flowering.
Mangave is only cold hardy to zone 8, so here in our zone 4 winters, my Mangave needs to live indoors from about September through May. Fortunately, it is a slow-growing plant that tends to stay in its compact rosette, without sending out new pups or suckers, so it is well-suited to container gardening.
The secret of successfully growing almost all varieties of succulents and cacti is to provide adequate light, keep them in locations where the temperatures don't drop below their hardiness level, and do not over water. My Mangave seems to be thriving in the east facing bay window of the living room where the temperature is about 72 degrees during the day and about 68 degrees at night. I water it every couple weeks, when the top inch or so of soil is dry. It is planted in well-draining succulent potting mix so the water drains freely from the drainage holes after watering. I empty the drip saucer about an hour or so after watering so the roots aren't standing in any water.
This treatment seems to be keeping my Mangave healthy through the long, dark days of winter in North Dakota.
