It is characterized by lanceolate leaves, the plant’s most prominent feature. It is a cross between Mangave’ Bloodspot’ and Agave striata. Its leaves are recurved and silvery green.
| Family: | Agavaceae/Asparagaceae |
| Genus: | Mangave |
| Scientific Name: | Mangave ‘Man of Steel’ |
| Growth Season: | Spring to autumn |
| Preferred Temperature: | 15.5oC (60oF), give or take a few degrees. Winter is hardy to between -6.6 and – 3.8oC (20-25oF) if the temperature remains in that position for a short time. |
| Hardiness Zone: | USDA Zone 8-10 |
| Dormancy: | Its growth slows in winter. |
| Toxicity: | When ingested or touched, it is not toxic to humans or pets. |
Mangave Man of Steel Physical Characteristics
Lanceolate leaves characterize it. These leaves, the plant’s most prominent feature, are recurved, silvery green but with purple freckles on the surface. That silvery green color is the source of its common name, ‘man of steel’. The plant’s margins are cinnamon orange. Each leaf has a long terminal spine the same color as the margins. The rosettes formed by these leaves grow low in a ground-hugging fashion.
The plant succulents are symmetrical, and the leaves have a waxy coating that protects them from sunburnt.
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Mangave Man of Steel Care
It is an easy-to-keep, hardy plant that is relatively undemanding. It requires regular watering to facilitate growth, especially during the warmer seasons, from spring to autumn. You should water it sparingly to prevent waterlogging, making the plant vulnerable to root rot.
The pottage in which you grow should have high gravel content or pumice to facilitate drainage. Use the soak and dry watering method to water it. Well-draining soil and a pot with drainage holes reduce the possibility of overwatering since the substrate won’t retain water.
You can feed the plant once per year with a slow-release fertilizer. The feeding is best done at the beginning of spring because the plant will utilize the fertilizer well throughout the growing season.
Give it fertilizer rich in potassium and phosphorus with just a little nitrogen. You should keep your plant under full sun or partial shade if the sun is too hot. Keeping it under low light reduces its leaves’ darkness, slows growth, and makes the plant leggy while reducing rosette density—the more intense the sunlight, the more intense the leaf’s hue.
DO YOU KNOW? Caring (propagating, pruning/trimming, beheading, watering, …) is a set of skills that is widely applicable to succulents. Read the in-depth guide here >>
Richard Miller – Succulent City
Mangave Man of Steel Growth
This plant is suitable for hanging baskets, including specimen planting, succulent gardens, poolside, landscaping, and face containers. You can propagate it by plant division or offsets if it produces any.
It rarely needs pruning, but you should remove any dead or drooping leaves at the base of the plant to keep it neat. The plant will likely outgrow its pot every once in a while when it needs repotting. This is usually when it doubles in size. It is susceptible to pests you should look for, including mealybugs, thrips, eriophyid mites, and scale. However, keeping the plant healthy is the best defense against these pests. Control them using organic systemic or contact pesticides.
Before you leave …
You can see all plants from the Mangave genus on Succulent City on this page. Or the previous/next plant:
ABOUT ME
Richard | Editor-in-chief at Succulent City
Hey everyone! I’m Richard. Welcome to my blog, which is all about succulents, cacti, and a bit about air plants. Ten years back, in 2013, I began my journey with succulents. It started as a simple hobby, crafting and selling charming succulent-themed pins and decorations. But as time passed, my fascination with these remarkable plants grew, and I gained extensive knowledge about them. Therefore, Succulent City is the blog as you see it is now. Enjoy your visit and happly planting!