Product Field NotesCompanion Plants
Red Wing Mangave: A Wine-Red Rosette for Sunny Patios
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Red Wing mangave builds a large, refined rosette of thick, gently arching leaves, so densely spotted with red that in strong light the whole plant looks nearly solid wine red. A little green shows near the base, and the small cream teeth along the leaf edges firm up and turn orange as they age. It is one of the boldest red succulents you can grow.
Red Wing at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | x Mangave 'Red Wing' |
| Foliage | Deep wine red, densely spotted; teeth age from cream to orange |
| Size | 16 to 18 inches tall, 24 to 26 inches wide |
| Flowers | Rarely flowers |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 9 to 11 |
| Light | Full sun for the deepest color |
| Deer and rabbits | Resistant |
Red against silver
Silver-gray lavender foliage makes almost any dark color pop, and a deep red rosette is about as dramatic as it gets. Try a wide, low bowl of Red Wing on a sunny gravel patio with lavender planted around it, or a pair of pots flanking the entrance to a lavender bed. The stiff, starlike shape is a nice counterpoint to lavender's soft, rounded mounds.
The care overlaps neatly too. Both want full sun, fast drainage and patience between waterings. Plan where the pots will sit using the Companion Plant Planner.
Getting the best color
Light drives the red. In full sun the spotting deepens and the rosette glows; in shade or indoors over winter it may show more green. That is normal, and the color returns once it is back outside. Introduce it to full sun gradually each spring, a few hours more each day for a week or so, to avoid sunburned leaves after months indoors.
Container care through the year
- Mix: cactus mix or a gritty, fast-draining blend in a pot with a drainage hole.
- Water: soak it when the mix is dry, then let it dry again. It tolerates humid summers and rain better than most agaves if drainage is quick.
- Fall: bring it in before nights drop below about 40 degrees F. Check your timing with the Frost Date Estimator.
- Winter: brightest window or a greenhouse, with very little water until spring.
- Pests: check indoors for mealybugs and scale.
About the plug tray
Red Wing is offered as a full 72-cell plug tray, a good fit for growers who pot up their own patio succulents. See the product page for current availability.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my plant more green than red?
It needs more light. Give it full sun outdoors and the red will deepen over a few weeks.
Do I need gloves to handle it?
Yes, it is a good idea. The tip spines are sharp, and as with agave, the sap can irritate skin.
Can it go in a lavender bed for summer?
It can be planted out for summer in sharply drained soil, but it must be dug and potted before frost. A container is much simpler.
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