Partial sun or shade. Manfreda is an herbaceous perennial with thick, fleshy purple-spotted leaves (in sun) and tall pale flower spikes in early summer. As the seed capsules mature, they can be heard rattling in the wind.
Leaves may wither in full summer scorch, but recover with cooler temperatures. Planted at 2-foot intervals, manfreda forms spreading rosettes and makes a rough groundcover. It survives without care in sand, clay or rock, as long as soil is fast draining. It also performs well in containers.
