How to Grow and Care for Mangave Praying Hands
Cultivate the architectural Mangave 'Praying Hands' by providing the right balance of sun and water to preserve its distinct, sculptural shape and health.
The Mangave ‘Praying Hands’ is a succulent, a hybrid creation from crossing the genera Agave and Manfreda. This background gives it the strong, architectural form of an agave while benefiting from the accelerated growth and interesting coloration of a manfreda. Its dramatic and sculptural appearance has made it a favorite among plant collectors and landscape designers.
Unique Plant Characteristics
The most defining feature of ‘Praying Hands’ is its tightly clustered, upright leaves. The dark green, concave foliage grows inward and upward, forming a shape that resembles a pair of cupped hands. This plant inherits subtle spotting on its leaves from its Manfreda parentage, adding another layer of visual interest.
As it grows, it forms a compact and symmetrical rosette. A mature plant reaches a height and spread of about 25 centimeters. Like many of its relatives, this mangave is monocarpic, meaning it will flower once before the main plant dies. This is an infrequent occurrence, particularly for plants grown indoors, but when it happens, it sends up a tall spike of greenish-yellow flowers.
Essential Care Guide
Proper care for ‘Praying Hands’ revolves around providing conditions that mimic its native arid environments. This plant requires at least six hours of direct sunlight each day to maintain its compact and upright form. The intensity of its leaf spotting is also directly related to exposure to sunlight. Insufficient light will cause the leaves to lose their tight shape and open up, altering the plant’s appearance.
The foundation of its care is a well-draining soil mix, such as one formulated for cacti and succulents. Amending standard potting soil with perlite or sand can also improve drainage. The watering routine should follow the “soak and dry” method. This involves thoroughly watering the plant and then allowing the soil to dry out completely before the next watering to prevent root rot.
This hybrid thrives in warm temperatures, ideally between 15-24°C (60-75°F). For outdoor cultivation, it is hardy in USDA zones 9 to 11. During the active growing season of spring and summer, a diluted, balanced fertilizer can be applied monthly, but feeding should be avoided in the winter.
Potting and Placement
Due to its manageable size and clean growth habit, ‘Praying Hands’ is well-suited for container gardening. It can be an accent on a patio, balcony, or even indoors if sufficient light is provided. When planting in a pot, select one with adequate drainage holes that is only slightly larger than the plant’s root ball.
In climates that align with its hardiness zones, this mangave is an excellent choice for rock gardens, succulent beds, or as a landscape feature. Its unique form provides a strong visual contrast against other plants. Repotting is needed every two to three years, or when the plant becomes root-bound in its container.
Common Problems and Propagation
The most common issue affecting ‘Praying Hands’ is overwatering, which leads to root and crown rot. The plant is generally resistant to pests like deer and rabbits but can occasionally attract mealybugs or scale. These pests can be managed with horticultural soaps or oils.
Propagation is most successfully achieved through offsets, often called “pups,” which grow from the base of the mother plant. Once these pups have developed their own small root system, they can be separated from the main plant. Allow the cut surface of the pup to dry and callus for a day or two before planting it in its own pot with a well-draining soil mix.