Mangave 'Lavender Lady'

Where to Plant:

A beautiful succulent that forms a single, elegant rosette of silvery-lavender leaves, which are often speckled with muted purple dots in strong sunlight. Its refined, echeveria-like form makes it a superb specimen plant. In the UK climate, it must be grown in a pot so that it can be moved to a protected spot for the winter. Place it in the sunniest, warmest position you have during the summer, such as on a south-facing patio or in a conservatory, to bring out the richest lavender colour.

How to Plant:

Use a terracotta pot with ample drainage and a very gritty compost mix; equal parts loam-based compost and horticultural grit works well. When potting, which can be done in spring or summer, position the plant so that its crown is slightly above the soil line. After positioning the plant, add a top layer of grit or fine gravel over the surface of the compost. This is crucial as it keeps moisture away from the base of the rosette and helps to prevent rot.

Aftercare:

In summer, water the plant well but only when the compost has fully dried out. It is drought-tolerant. Feed very sparingly with a diluted cactus or succulent fertiliser once or twice during the growing season. As winter approaches, drastically reduce watering. Before any risk of frost, move the container to a frost-free environment like a greenhouse, porch, or conservatory. It needs to be kept as dry as possible throughout the winter months to survive.