Mangave are a fairly recent phenomenon. An exciting hybridization of Agave and the former genus Manfreda. (Manfreda is now considered part of Agave) In 2005, Tony Avent and Carl Schoenfeld coined the term x Mangave to describe two plants growing at Yucca Do Nursery in Texas. The plants came from seed collected as Manfreda in the wilds of Mexico that were growing near some Agave mitis… two of the seedlings were hybrids. Another early cultivar was ‘Bloodspot' a child of the union of Manfreda maculate and Agave macroacantha in Japan. A hugebreakthough happened when Hans Hanson became the first person to successfullymicropropagateMangaves. Both ‘Bloodspot' and ‘Macha Mocha' were tissue cultured invitro which resulted in more widespread cultivation.  Since that time, Hans moved to Walters Gardens to become a plant breeder and created dozens and dozens ofMangavecultivars.

Mangave combine the best qualities of Manfreda and Agave, better/faster growth rate and interesting patterns/colors of Manfreda along with the habit, structure and refinement of Agave. These rare hybrids will take full sun (in fact more Sun = more color) and are drought tolerant, although if you give them more water, they will grow faster. They are a wonderful addition to xeriscape gardens, they can be grown in ground or in pots, just make sure to give them lots of room for their roots.  They come with amazing and fun names like: ‘Bad Hair Day' ‘Purple People Eater' and ‘Mission to Mars' just to name a few.  And they are like potato chips, you can't have just one! You can find Mangaves in the succulent sections at nurseries like Green Acres, at the UD Davis Arboretum plant sales, and sometimes even at big box store nurseries.