How to Grow Mango Trees

If you live in a region with the right climate for mangoes, you can grow and enjoy this sweet, vitamin-packed tropical fruit year after year. Mango trees are relatively easy to grow from seeds or saplings, as long as you have time and patience (it takes about eight years for a mango tree to mature).

Check if the environment where you live is suitable for growing mangoes. While mango trees don't require much care, they do need the right conditions to thrive. Mangoes grow best in warm climates and can tolerate both wet and dry areas. Most mango varieties are found near the equator. In the U.S., mangoes are mainly grown in Florida. You can grow mangoes if you live in an area with an average temperature of 27-38°C and winters that don't experience freezing temperatures.

• The region's rainfall should not exceed 30 cm per year.

Select a location for planting. Mango trees can thrive in pots or in spacious outdoor areas. They love warmth and sunlight, meaning they won't grow well indoors (although you can bring them inside in a pot during winter). The size of a mango tree depends on the variety, but generally, they are quite large, reaching heights of about 3 to 4.5 meters. Therefore, choose a spot with plenty of space for the tree to grow without being shaded by larger plants.

Choose a mango variety. There are many different types of mangoes available, but only a few will grow well in specific regions. Visit a local nursery to find the variety that best suits your area's conditions. Mango trees can be grown in two ways: from seeds or grafted trees. Trees grown from seeds typically take about eight years to bear fruit, while grafted trees will fruit in 3-5 years and are almost guaranteed to have a good harvest. If you're growing mangoes from seeds, make sure to pick a mango from a region you know; supermarket mango seeds often won't germinate.

• Grafted trees will only reach about half the height of seed-grown trees.
• Seed-grown trees are usually stronger and sturdier than grafted ones, but they may not bear fruit as reliably as grafted trees.
• If you want to push the limits of the environment for growing mangoes, certain varieties can tolerate slightly cooler and wetter conditions than recommended.

Prepare the soil. Mangoes thrive in well-draining, sandy soils. You should check the soil's pH level to ensure it is acidic enough; mango trees grow best in soil with a pH between 4.5 and 7 (acidic). Add peat moss to the soil annually to maintain its acidity. Avoid using chemical fertilizers or any products that contain salts, as they will inhibit the tree's growth. Work the soil to a depth of about 1 meter to give the roots plenty of room to develop.

Determine the right time to plant. It's best to plant mango trees at the end of spring or the beginning of summer, when there's both rain and sunlight. The growing season can vary depending on the variety, so check with the seller for the ideal planting time. Some varieties, like Beverly and Keitt, do not need to be planted before August or September.

Choose a large, ripe mango with many seeds. If you're living in an area where mangoes are grown, visit a local orchard to find a good fruit. If that's not an option, head to a fruit shop or farmer's market to buy one, and ask the seller to select a mango with many seeds.

• Mangoes with multiple seeds will produce offspring that resemble the parent tree. It's best to select seeds from mangoes grown in your area, as you will get a better idea of the flavor of the fruit – it will taste similar to the parent tree's fruit.

Extract and wash the seed. You can either eat the mango or peel off the flesh until the seed is exposed. Use a brush or steel wool to scrub the seed until all the fiber is removed. Be careful not to scrub off the outer skin of the seed, just the fibrous remnants attached to it.

Prepare the seed for planting. Allow the seed to dry for one night in a cool area, away from direct sunlight. Use a sharp knife to split the mango seed like you would an oyster, being careful not to cut too deeply into the seed inside. After splitting the seed, remove the inner part, which resembles a lima bean seed.

Germinate the seed. Place the mango seed about 2.5 cm deep into a planting tray, with the concave side facing down. Water the soil to keep it moist and place the tray in a warm, shaded location until the seed sprouts. This process usually takes 1-3 weeks.

Plant the tree. By this point, your mango seed is ready to be planted in its final location. If you're planting outdoors, it is best to plant directly into the ground instead of using a pot and then transplanting. This way, you won't have to harden the plant by acclimating it to the outdoor conditions and risking transplant shock.

Dig the planting hole. Use a shovel to dig a hole at your chosen spot that is two to four times wider than the root ball of the tree. If you're planting in an area with grass, make sure to remove the grass in a 60 cm radius around the hole to give the tree more room to grow. Mix some compost (no more than 50-50) with the dug-up soil and refill the hole around the tree's roots.

Plant the tree. Take the sapling out of its pot or place the seed in the hole. The base of the tree or seedling should be level with or slightly above the ground surface. Fill the hole with the dug-up soil, pressing gently around the plant. Mango trees grow best in loose soil, so avoid compacting the soil too much while filling the hole.

Fertilize the tree. Wait until the mango tree has developed a few new shoots before fertilizing. After that, you can apply fertilizer once a month during the first year. Use a non-chemical fertilizer – a 6-6-6-2 mix works well. You can dissolve the fertilizer in a bit of warm water before applying it to the tree, and be sure to have enough fertilizer on hand for monthly use.

Water the tree. Mango trees don't like excessive watering, but during the first week, it's important to give them more water than usual. Water the newly planted tree every two days during the first week, and then water it once or twice a week during the first year.

• If there has been no rain or little rain for five days or more, water the tree (for trees under 3 years old) once a week until the dry season ends.

Weed control. Weeds can become a major problem for mango trees if not dealt with regularly. You should make it a habit to remove weeds and any plants that sprout near the base of the mango tree. Apply a thick mulch layer around the tree to retain moisture and prevent weeds from growing. You can also add some compost to the mulch to provide extra nutrients for the tree.

Prune the tree when necessary. The purpose of pruning is to create space for new branches to grow, as fruit forms at the tips of the branches (known as terminal flowers). Trim off branches, leaving about 2.5 cm from the trunk if there are too many crowded branches, usually after the fruiting season (fall). You can also prune to limit the spread of branches by cutting off those that are too tall or wide. If you're unsure about the mango variety you're growing, visit a nursery for advice.

Harvesting mangoes. Since mango varieties vary in color, shape, and size, it's hard to tell if a mango is ripe without cutting it open. You can estimate ripeness by the softness and fragrance of the fruit, but it's also best to cut a small piece to check. If the flesh is yellow all the way to the pit, the mango is ready to eat. If the flesh is still white and firm, wait another one to two weeks before trying again. If you harvest the mango too early, you can ripen it by placing it in a paper bag at room temperature for a few days. A great option if you've picked the mango too early is to slice it into strips and make green mango salad, which pairs wonderfully with fish dishes.

• Space mango trees at least 3-7 meters apart, or from other trees, for optimal growth.
• Plant mango trees in well-draining soil to avoid waterlogging.
• Protect mango trees from frost during winter by covering them with a shelter or blanket, or bring potted trees indoors.

• Anthracnose fungus can destroy mango trees, as it attacks all parts of the plant. Use fungicides at the first sign of black spots on the mangoes.