Mangave is an interesting genus that has only recently begun to branch further and further into more hybrids. The original hybrids are crosses of plants that were previously from the manfreda genus and agave plants. The crosses gained their own fame and fortune since they have the hardiness of agave but the softer leaves of manfreda.
The combination has led to many different leaf shapes, colors, and variations within hybrids. Mangaves are truly amazing works of art!
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1. Praying Hands
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| Maximum Height | 10 inches |
| Maximum Width | 10 inches |
| Watering Needs | Bi-weekly to weekly schedule as needed |
| Soil Needs | Well-draining |
| Light Needs | Full sun, can tolerate partial sun |
| Hardiness Zone(s) | Zone 9 and up |
| Bloom Frequency | Infrequent |
| Leaf Type | Lance like leaves that curl upward tightly |
| Growth Type | Artichoke-like rosette |
Praying Hands is a more recent species that was released in 2021. What sets this species apart from others is that rather than the leaves growing outward in a rosette shape, they instead reach upward; this makes Praying Hands look exactly like an artichoke.
2. Red Wing
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| Maximum Height | 18 inches |
| Maximum Width | 26 inches |
| Watering Needs | Bi-weekly to weekly schedule as needed |
| Soil Needs | Well-draining |
| Light Needs | Full sun |
| Hardiness Zone(s) | Zone 9 and up |
| Bloom Frequency | Undetermined |
| Leaf Type | Oval to triangular pointed leaves with toothed margins. |
| Growth Type | Loose, open rosette |
One of the attractive elements of Red Wing is the reason behind the name: the broad triangular leaves are almost completely red with deep maroon margins. There is a light speckling of minty green that is common with mangave species.
3. Moonglow
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| Maximum Height | 12 inches |
| Maximum Width | 8+ inches |
| Watering Needs | Bi-weekly to Weekly schedule as needed |
| Soil Needs | Well-draining |
| Light Needs | Full sun, can tolerate partial sun |
| Hardiness Zone(s) | Zone 8 and up |
| Bloom Frequency | Infrequent |
| Leaf Type | Thin lance-like leaves with slightly toothed edges |
| Growth Type | Dense open rosette |
Moonglow is a species that has a natural lavender over color that creates a glow that seems stronger in the evening. Otherwise, the leaves are spotted very judiciously with deep purple spots on a greyish-green background.
4. Bloodspot
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| Maximum Height | 12 inches |
| Maximum Width | 12 - 24 inches |
| Watering Needs | Bi-weekly to weekly schedule as needed |
| Soil Needs | Well-draining |
| Light Needs | Full sun |
| Hardiness Zone(s) | Zone 9 and up |
| Bloom Frequency | Infrequent |
| Leaf Type | Triangular elliptical shape without visible teeth |
| Growth Type | Compact open rosette |
Bloodspot, released in 2008, is a special kind of mangave that maintains an evergreen light purple color. The younger leaves show a minty green color. The lance-shaped leaves look as though they are splattered with blood thanks to the random and varied spots of deep maroon.
5. Lavender Lady
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| Maximum Height | 12 inches |
| Maximum Width | 12 - 24 inches |
| Watering Needs | Weekly schedule |
| Soil Needs | Well-draining |
| Light Needs | Full sun, can tolerate partial sun |
| Hardiness Zone(s) | Zone 9 and up |
| Bloom Frequency | At maturity, yellow blooms |
| Leaf Type | Fleshy lance leaves with fine serration along the margins |
| Growth Type | Solitary mounding rosette |
One of the more elegant species, Lavender Lady, has broad leaves that maintain a very light purple hue when the leaves are younger. As the leaves age, they turn a misty green that seems to create a halo around the younger leaves.
6. Silver Fox
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| Maximum Height | 12 inches |
| Maximum Width | 24 - 36 inches |
| Watering Needs | Weekly schedule |
| Soil Needs | Well-draining |
| Light Needs | Full sun, can tolerate partial sun |
| Hardiness Zone(s) | Zone 9 and up |
| Bloom Frequency | Infrequent, 8-foot stalk with yellow blooms |
| Leaf Type | Lance-like leaves that curl like waves. Rounded serration along the margins with rubbery spines |
| Growth Type | Symmetrical rosette that dies back after blooming and produces several new rosettes |
Silver Fox is a new variant of mangave that is quickly gaining popularity among hobbyists. Mint green leaves look slightly variegated since the thick leaves are outlined in thick spotted maroon bands. It gets its name from the heavy coating of farina that covers all of the leaves, making it look like the silver coat of a winter fox.
7. Thunderbird
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| Maximum Height | 12 inches |
| Maximum Width | 8 inches |
| Watering Needs | Weekly schedule |
| Soil Needs | Well-draining |
| Light Needs | Full sun |
| Hardiness Zone(s) | Zone 9 and up |
| Bloom Frequency | Infrequent |
| Leaf Type | Elongated lance-like leaves that curve inward. Some serration along the margins. |
| Growth Type | Symmetrical rosette |
The powerful Thunderbird is a very sturdy type of mangave with inwardly curling leaves that make each of them look like mini gardening spades. It maintains a deep maroon color year-round but also may appear more green in the summer months.
8. Pineapple Express
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| Maximum Height | 18 inches |
| Maximum Width | 24 inches |
| Watering Needs | Weekly schedule |
| Soil Needs | Well-draining |
| Light Needs | Full sun |
| Hardiness Zone(s) | Zone 9 and up |
| Bloom Frequency | Infrequent |
| Leaf Type | Thin linear leaves with sharp serration along the margins. |
| Growth Type | Symmetrical rosette with rare offsets |
Pineapple Express is a fun mangave thanks to how the leaves grow. They look exactly like the top of a pineapple, and many hobbyists plant this species in yellowish pots to complete the look. The speckles along the leaves are widespread, almost like a bloodspot; however, they are more well-defined.
9. Maverick
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| Maximum Height | 8 inches |
| Maximum Width | 14 inches |
| Watering Needs | Weekly schedule |
| Soil Needs | Well-draining |
| Light Needs | Full sun |
| Hardiness Zone(s) | Zone 9 and up |
| Bloom Frequency | Infrequent |
| Leaf Type | Broad triangular leaves |
| Growth Type | Whorled rosette |
Maverick is a mangave variant that has one of the perfect contrasts of mint green to maroon spotting. Instead of looking like a mottled minty green leaf, they instead look like the mint is the spotting on the leaves. With strong leaves and some serration along the edges, this species is hardy and a great starter mangave.
10. Snow Leopard
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| Maximum Height | 12 - 24 inches |
| Maximum Width | 24 - 36 inches |
| Watering Needs | Weekly schedule |
| Soil Needs | Well-draining |
| Light Needs | Full sun, can tolerate partial sun |
| Hardiness Zone(s) | Zone 9 and up |
| Bloom Frequency | Frequent with 7-foot bloom stalk and scented green flowers. |
| Leaf Type | Elongated linear leaves with some serration along the margins |
| Growth Type | Tight rosettes with easy offsets |
Mangave Snow Leopard is a hybrid plant created by crossing two succulent plants - Agave macroacantha and Manfreda. It is a stunning, ornamental plant that features fleshy, pale green leaves with dark spots and streaks, resembling a snow leopard's fur. Overall, the Mangave Snow Leopard is a unique and attractive addition to any garden or indoor plant collection.
11. Bad Hair Day
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| Maximum Height | 10 inches |
| Maximum Width | 30 inches |
| Watering Needs | Weekly schedule |
| Soil Needs | Well-draining |
| Light Needs | Full sun, can tolerate partial sun |
| Hardiness Zone(s) | Zone 7 and up |
| Bloom Frequency | Infrequent and random |
| Leaf Type | Elongated linear leaves with some leaves that twist or wave. |
| Growth Type | Rosettes with many hair-like leaves and several offsets |
Personally, this type of mangave would look hilarious and wonderful in one of the giant head planters. The reason it earned its name is thanks to the totally random leaves that curl, twist, or turn in the opposite direction of the leaves around them. There isn’t a rhyme or reason as to which leaf will be funkier than the rest, but that’s the charm of this species!
12. Dreadlocks
| Maximum Height | 12 inches |
| Maximum Width | 40 inches |
| Watering Needs | Weekly schedule |
| Soil Needs | Well-draining |
| Light Needs | Full sun |
| Hardiness Zone(s) | Zone 9 and up |
| Bloom Frequency | Infrequent |
| Leaf Type | Known to have the waviest leaves that are more triangular when young. |
| Growth Type | Slow-growing loose rosettes that die back during blooming; produces pups quickly after the mother rosette has died back. |
While there are variants that have extremely pronounced waves, in terms of how many waves are on each leaf, Dreadlocks takes the cake. Each leaf looks like a perfectly woven and groomed dreadlock. With minty margins and maroon speckling along the center of each leaf, this species is a very attractive and hardy species to work with.
13. Desert Dragon
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| Maximum Height | 12 inches |
| Maximum Width | 24 inches |
| Watering Needs | Weekly schedule |
| Soil Needs | Well-draining |
| Light Needs | Full sun |
| Hardiness Zone(s) | Zone 9 and up |
| Bloom Frequency | Undetermined |
| Leaf Type | Short, wavy, and linear leaves that can grow in opposing directions; Irregular teeth along the margins. |
| Growth Type | Loose full rosette |
Desert dragon is a low-growing mangave that twists and turns and swirls around in a multitude of directions. When you look from above, it’s almost as though no leaf is going in the same direction! Not only does this specie have pronounced waves and some serration, but it is also a glowing misty blue with some light speckling. What a treat!
14. Kaleidoscope
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| Maximum Height | 24 inches |
| Maximum Width | 36 inches |
| Watering Needs | Weekly schedule |
| Soil Needs | Well-draining |
| Light Needs | Full sun, can tolerate partial sun |
| Hardiness Zone(s) | Zone 9 and up |
| Bloom Frequency | Infrequent |
| Leaf Type | Toothy lance-shaped leaves that are narrow to a fine tip |
| Growth Type | Broad rosette with easy offsets |
This species is hard to pass up. Kaleidoscope has three primary colors; copper, maroon, and grey-green. The majority of the leaves are minty green with copper margins and maroon speckles all over the leaves. There are very few teeth on this species which makes it a little more handler friendly. If you need to brighten up an area, then the coppery pink margins are a great way to bring in some color.
15. Mayan Queen
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| Maximum Height | 12 inches |
| Maximum Width | 36 inches |
| Watering Needs | Weekly schedule |
| Soil Needs | Well-draining |
| Light Needs | Full sun, can tolerate partial sun |
| Hardiness Zone(s) | Zone 9 and up |
| Bloom Frequency | Unknown |
| Leaf Type | Broad and arching triangular leaves with undulating margins |
| Growth Type | Tight rosettes with easy offsets |
Truly one of the most regal-looking species other than Lavender Lady! With broad-reaching leaves that curl upwards and outwards, the Mayan Queen takes up a great deal of space. She is constantly a darker purple color with maroon speckles covering each leaf. Some leaves may appear wavy as well, but all are thick and triangular.
16. Cherry Chocolate Chip
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| Maximum Height | 12 - 24 inches |
| Maximum Width | 24 - 36 inches |
| Watering Needs | Weekly schedule |
| Soil Needs | Well-draining |
| Light Needs | Full sun, can tolerate partial sun |
| Hardiness Zone(s) | Zone 7 and up |
| Bloom Frequency | Frequent with 6-foot bloom stalk and burgundy blooms |
| Leaf Type | Elongated linear leaves with distinct waves |
| Growth Type | Full Rosette that doesn’t die off after blooming; easily offsets |
With beautiful waves much like Dreadlocks, Cherry Chocolate Chip is equally fascinating. The margins show bright reddish pinks that splash along a solid white line. The leaves curl inward on themselves, which adds depth to the plant. Minty leaves have a solid central line of maroon that fades to speckles before reaching the white and pink margins.
17. Aztec King
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| Maximum Height | 24 inches |
| Maximum Width | 42 inches |
| Watering Needs | Weekly schedule |
| Soil Needs | Well-draining |
| Light Needs | Full sun |
| Hardiness Zone(s) | Zone 9 and up |
| Bloom Frequency | Frequent with 7-foot bloom stalk and scented green flowers. |
| Leaf Type | Thick and fleshy lance-shaped leaves with minimal to no serration. |
| Growth Type | Broad structured rosette |
Much like the Mayan Queen, the Aztec King is a space-consuming species with very broad leaves that reach up and outward. The Aztec king has more of a silvery blue tone that fades to a darker green as the leaves age. When looking closely at the stately leaves, you can see speckles of maroon-purple all along the leaves.
18. Freckles and Speckles
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| Maximum Height | 12 inches |
| Maximum Width | 24 inches |
| Watering Needs | Weekly schedule |
| Soil Needs | Well-draining |
| Light Needs | Full sun |
| Hardiness Zone(s) | Zone 9 and up |
| Bloom Frequency | Frequent with 6-foot bloom stalk |
| Leaf Type | Shorter triangular leaves with pronounced teeth. |
| Growth Type | Clustering rosettes |
Personally, I find this species to be one of the most balanced when it comes to representing the hybridity between agave and manfreda species. The leaves are broad and serrated with a middling amount of maroon speckles that cover the entire leaf. With a light coating of farina, it also gives a slight ghostly glow. A true specimen of the mangave genus!