Mangave Praying Hands

Mangave 'Praying Hands' is different and charming with a uniquely architectural habit. This succulent plant forms a highly geometric rosette that, instead of opening like most other varieties, reaches upwards. It somewhat resembles an artichoke, but is far more ornamental. The numerous dark green leaves curve skywards, evoking praying hands, hence its name. The reddish, tapering tip and the margins on either side of the leaf create a lovely contrast with the dark leaf blade. This botanical beauty only tolerates light frosts, limiting planting possibilities to mild regions. Elsewhere, it thrives in pots, allowing it to be sheltered during winter.

Mangave is a recent hybrid genus belonging to the Asparagaceae family, which now includes Agavaceae and other formerly distinct botanical families. Many other ornamental genera are grouped within this family, such as the evocatively shaped Beaucarnea, nicknamed "Elephant's Foot," or the popular Yucca. 'Praying Hands' was developed by breeder Hans Hansen of Walters Garden in Michigan (USA), who crossed Mangave 'Bloodspot' with Agave ocahui. This Agave, native to Mexico, is cold-resistant (down to -15°C) and, unusually, also tolerant of humidity. It forms a compact rosette of slender, pointed green leaves, traits inherited by 'Praying Hands'. This complex hybrid, however, has originality, with a darker, slightly glaucous green, accentuated by two reddish lateral margins that meet at the leaf tip to form a formidable thorn of the same colour. The rosette, which does not exceed 30 cm in any direction at maturity, has a perfectly geometric shape. The succulent leaves arch away from the centre before curving skywards and back towards the middle, mimicking two palms with curled fingers meeting. This silhouette is truly unique within this group of plants. Harmonising perfectly with any round pot, this Mangave, which only tolerates brief frosts down to -5°C, can easily be moved to a bright, cool, frost-free room or conservatory in winter. In frost-free coastal areas, it will integrate beautifully into rockeries alongside other succulent plants.

A stunning ornamental plant, Mangave thrives in full sun in the mildest coastal areas or under light shade in hot climates. Its striking form, rivalling the famous Agave victoriae-reginae, creates breathtaking rockery scenes. Pair it with contrasting silhouettes for subtle effects, such as the astonishing Cereus forbesii Spiralis, a uniquely twisted columnar cactus. Dasylirion, which forms spheres of thread-like leaves, also makes an excellent companion. For colour variations, nothing beats the rich range of Aeonium, particularly varieties with pink, red, or deep purple foliage.

The x Mangave genus is a human creation, resulting from cross-breeding between the widely cultivated Mediterranean garden genus Agave and Manfreda, a lesser-known American tuberous plant. The appeal of this intergeneric hybrid lies in producing plants with faster growth than Agaves, along with aesthetically striking variations in form and colour.