xMangave ‘Macho Mocha’…a bigeneric hybrid…oh, my! On a plant exploration trip into Mexico, Carl Schoenfeld collected seed from a plant of Manfreda variegata. Only when the seedlings were grown was it realized that it had crossed in the wild with a nearby plant of Agave celsii, resulting in the very first xMangave. Each surreal-looking, 3′ wide clump of thick, rubbery, glaucous foliage is so covered with iron-purple spots that the clump looks burgundy purple. Established clumps are topped in late spring with thick 8’ tall flower spikes…a hummingbird’s wet dream. We have had this survive 9 degrees F, but in areas with wet cold winters, grow xMangave ‘Macho Mocha’ as a container plant. Stunning!
