- Mature height
- 40cm to 60cm
- Mature width
- 60cm to 90cm
Mangave 'Pineapple Express' is a hybrid of Agave and Manfreda grown for its broad blue green leaves, heavily marked with burgundy purple spotting. The leaves arch out into a symmetrical rosette that keeps its structure all year. Spotting deepens with sun exposure, so no two plants end up looking quite the same.
Expect a rosette around 20 to 40 centimetres high, spreading a little wider as the outer leaves arch over. Full sun to part shade suits it, provided the soil drains sharply. It is highly drought tolerant once established and takes light to moderate frost, but sits poorly in cold, waterlogged ground.
It works as a feature plant in courtyards and entry beds, through rockeries and gravel gardens, and in decorative containers on paving. Grouped in threes or fives it reads as a single sculptural mass. For a bed that has to look sharp on almost no water, few plants do the job as cleanly.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Pineapple Express Mangave
What is Mangave 'Pineapple Express'?
Mangave 'Pineapple Express' is a hybrid of Agave and Manfreda grown for its broad blue green leaves, heavily marked with burgundy purple spots. The leaves arch out into a symmetrical evergreen rosette that holds its form year round. It combines the hardiness of an Agave with faster growth and far more foliage colour.
How big does Pineapple Express Mangave grow?
Expect a rosette of about 20 to 40 centimetres in height, spreading slightly wider as the outer leaves arch over. It reaches close to full size in two or three seasons, faster than an Agave of similar dimensions, then holds that size while offsets slowly fill in around the base.
Where does it grow best in Australia?
It performs across the temperate and subtropical south and east, from Perth and Adelaide through Melbourne, Sydney and south east Queensland, and inland wherever drainage is sharp. Light to moderate frost is tolerated once established. Cold, wet winter soil in high rainfall districts is the main limitation, so raise the bed.
Is it drought tolerant?
Once the roots are away it is very drought tolerant. The thick leaves store water and the plant is far happier dry than wet. Water it in over the first summer, then rainfall alone will usually carry it in coastal and temperate gardens. Inland, an occasional deep soaking in a long hot spell keeps the foliage plump.
Does it have sharp spines?
The leaf tips are much softer than those of a true Agave, with no serious terminal spine and no hooked teeth along the margins. That makes it a far better choice beside paths, driveways and seating than Agave americana. It is still a firm leaved succulent, so allow a little room where children play.
Can it grow in pots?
It is well suited to containers and is often grown that way. Choose a wide pot, a gritty free draining mix, and top dress with gravel rather than bark. Feed lightly once in spring at most. Roots dry faster in a pot, so check it in summer, but always let the mix dry out between waterings.
How do I care for Pineapple Express Mangave?
Plant into sharply drained soil or a raised bed, water sparingly, and otherwise leave it alone. Remove faded lower leaves by hand as they age. Avoid rich fertilisers and heavy organic mulch against the crown, both of which invite rot. If the rosette flowers, cut the spike out at the base once it has dried off.
