How Grow Mango from Seed

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Plus, how to care for & grow your mango tree to maturity
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Mango trees are one of the easiest trees to start from a seed and care for. In this comprehensive guide, we'll explain how to germinate and plant a mango seed , transplant the seedling to your yard, and care for the young tree as it grows. We'll also share expert tips on growing and pruning your mango tree from landscape specialist Gus Briones.

How to Grow a Mango Seed

  1. Cut open a mango and remove the pit.
  2. Cut away the husk of the pit and remove the mango seed.
  3. Wrap the seed in a damp paper towel & set it on a sunny windowsill for 3 weeks.
  4. Plant the germinated seed in a well-drained pot of soil, concave side down.
  5. Water it once a week until it grows into a seedling.
  6. Transplant the seedling to a sunny spot in your yard.
Section 1 of 5:

Germinating the Mango Seed

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  1. The best way to make sure you get a seed that will grow well in your area is to find a parent tree nearby. A nearby mango tree that produces good fruit will give you a seed that's the right variety for your climate. If you live in a warm climate with mild winters, you can probably find a healthy mango tree in your area. [1]
    • If you can't find a mango tree, you can order seeds or buy them in a shop. Make sure to choose a variety known to grow well where you live. [2]
    • You can also try to plant a seed from a store-bought mango. However, it will be a lot more difficult to help the seed survive in your climate, especially if the mango traveled to your grocery store from another state or country. Still, it's worth a try!
  2. Cut away the mango's flesh with a kitchen knife to find the pit inside. Next, carefully cut open the pit husk with kitchen scissors and remove the seed. [3] A healthy mango seed will look tan and fresh. Sometimes seeds turn gray if they're exposed to cold temperatures, and if this happens, the seeds aren't usable. [4]
    • You might want to wear gloves when handling the seed. Mango seeds produce sap that can cause skin irritation. [5]
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  3. Fold the seed into a dry paper towel until it's completely wrapped. Then pour water onto the paper towel until it's translucent and you can see the seed inside it. Put the seed in a plastic bag, seal it up, and let it sit on a sunny windowsill for 3 weeks. [6]
    • Check the paper towel every few days to see if it's dry. If it is, add a little bit more water so the paper towel is damp again.
    • After 3 weeks, the mango seed should have sprouted some tiny roots! If you also notice a little bit of white mildew on the outside, it's still okay to plant it.
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Section 2 of 5:

Planting the Mango Seed

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  1. Choose a soil containing 50% coarse sand , 25% vermiculite , and 25% sphagnum peat moss . It should also have a slow-release fertilizer in it, as well. [7]
  2. With the concave side of the seed face down, push it into the soil about 1 in (2.5 cm) or until only the top of the seed is barely visible. Leave the top of the seed partially uncovered so you can monitor its health as it grows. [8]
    • If the seed stays green, that means it's in good health and you should leave it alone. If it ever turns brown or black, that means it's rotting. At that point, dig out the rotting seed and replace it with a fresh one.
  3. Place the pot on a windowsill that gets sun for part of the day and wait until the seed is a year old to expose it to full sunlight. Putting it in full sun at this early stage could kill it. It's also important to keep it inside for now, especially if you don't live in a tropical area and experience a lot of cold weather. [9]
    • Much like full-grown mango trees, mango seeds and seedlings don't need a lot of water. About 8 oz (1 cup) every 5 days is plenty! [10]
  4. 4
    Allow the seed to grow into a seedling for 12 months. At this point, the seedling will have grown to approximately 3.3 ft (1.0 m) in height and 0.6 in (1.5 cm) in diameter. It's now just the right size to transplant into the ground in your lawn and survive against weeds and the elements. [11]
    • If your seedling becomes too large for the pot you initially planted the seed in, transplant it to a larger pot. First, fill the larger pot with the same soil you used in the smaller one. Next, gently loosen the soil around the seedling with a knife, taking care not to disturb the root ball. Pull the seedling out of the smaller pot and plant it in the new one. Push soil around the stem to cover the root ball and then water the seedling.
  5. Leaving a mango tree in the pot is ideal if you live in a place with cold winters, so you can take the pot inside when the temperature drops. As the tree grows, transfer it to a larger pot or barrel and prune it to keep it small.
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Section 3 of 5:

Transplanting the Mango Seedling

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  1. Place the pot with the seedling outside in full sunlight for a week. This allows the seedling to get used to the sun, or harden, before you transplant it to your yard. [12]
  2. Choose an area in your yard with full sun to plant your mango seed. Be sure this is a place you want a large tree to grow — they can grow up to 65 feet (20 m) tall! [13]
    • When planting the seedling in its final position, find an area in your backyard with good drainage. Also, think about the future: it must be an area where the full-grown tree won't interfere with any buildings, underground plumbing, or overhead power.
    • Clear away any weeds and bushes that might crowd your mango tree and compete with it for water resources.
  3. Dig a hole big enough for the seedling's tiny root ball. The hole should be three times the size of the root ball. Add â…“ quality potting mix , â…“ garden sand (not loam), and â…“ backfilling with soil from the hole. Place the seedling in the hole, pat the soil around its base, and water it thoroughly. [14]
    • Be careful not to break the seedling as you transplant it.
    • Mango trees grow well in a lot of different soil types, but especially in light sand and limestone. [15]
    • Briones recommends taking samples of your soil and testing them to see what kind of dirt and minerals it contains. That way you know if your mango seedling can grow well in it.
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Section 4 of 5:

Caring for the Young Mango Tree

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  1. 1
    Stake the mango tree to support it until it gets bigger and stronger. Briones recommends staking the mango tree to help it grow upward and prevent it from blowing over while it's still young. Plant two 8 ft (2.4 m) stakes on either side of the tree and attach them loosely to the tree with rubber loops or garden ties . Leave the stakes in place "until the actual tree trunk outgrows the size of the stake."
  2. After that, slow down to watering it 1-2 times a week for the first 2 months. Generally speaking, mango trees don't need a lot of irrigation and receive enough moisture from their climate. [16]
    • As your tree matures, the only time you need to water it is during particularly long dry seasons in spring and summer.
  3. Use a fertilizer with 8% nitrogen, 2% phosphate, and 12% potassium. [17] Start with 1 ⁄ 4  lb (0.11 kg) and gradually increase the amount to 1 lb (0.45 kg) by the end of the year. [18]
    • Sprinkle the fertilizer all the way around the tree trunk approximately 2 ft (0.61 m) away from the edge of the canopy. This is where the fine roots that need the most nutrients are growing. [19]
    • After the first year of transplanting, you only need to fertilize the mango tree 2-3 times per year. For each application, sprinkle 1 lb (0.45 kg) of fertilizer per inch in trunk diameter. So if your mango tree trunk is 2 in (5.1 cm) in diameter, apply 2 lb (0.91 kg) of fertilizer. [20]
  4. September is the end of the harvest season when the mangoes are mature. Even if your tree isn't producing fruit yet, it's still a good idea to get in the habit of waiting to prune it until after this time. Pruning will not only help you control the size of the tree, but it will also help you keep fruit-bearing branches lower and easier to pick. [21]
    • To prune your mango tree, use sharp pruning shears and focus on trimming the ends of the outermost and uppermost branches. This will help you control the tree's size and make it look less overgrown without hurting the tree or reducing fruit-bearing branches. [22]
    • Briones suggests pruning the lighter-colored upper branches and leaving the thicker, darker branches closer to the trunk alone. This decreases the risk of creating open wounds in your tree that will lead to disease and water evaporation.
  5. 5
    Monitor it for diseases and pests and treat as needed. Mango trees don't often become infested by insects or infected with diseases. But it can still happen sometimes! Common mango tree diseases include algal leaf spot, anthracnose, and powdery mildew. Some of the most important pests to watch out for are fruit flies and mealybugs. Here's a brief guide to dealing with these issues if they come up. [23]
    • Algal leaf spot : An algae that leaves rust-colored spots on a mango tree's leaves. It's harmless, but it's also not very pretty. You can help protect the tree from algal leaf spots by ensuring the tree has plenty of space between other plants to grow and breathe and with regular pruning.
    • Anthracnose : A disease caused by humidity that results in your mango flowers and fruits developing black lesions and dropping from the tree. The best way to control it is to apply a copper-based fungicide to the tree when it's gotten a lot of rainfall and the humidity in the area is high. [24]
    • Powdery mildew : A gray-white fungus that grows on mango leaves, flowers, and fruits. Applying the same copper-based fungicide you use for anthracnose should take care of this pesky disease.
    • Fruit flies : Flies that burrow into mangoes and lay eggs inside, causing the fruit to rot. You can harvest the mangoes as soon as they're ripe to prevent these insects from making a nest. Alternatively, you can set up outdoor fruit fly traps to catch them before they even make it inside the fruit.
    • Mealybugs : Tiny insects that lay eggs in the soil around the mango tree and suck up its sap. This can cause the flowers on the tree to wilt and the fruit to drop. You can usually get rid of them by simply cleaning up leaves and twigs surrounding the tree. You can also wrap the base of the tree in a polyethylene sheet and apply a layer of grease on the bottom of the polythene to prevent the mealybugs from climbing up the trunk.
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Section 5 of 5:

Best Climate to Grow a Mango Tree

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  1. Mangoes are native to the hot, humid tropics of Asia and Oceania. But you can still grow them even if you live in the United States. It helps to live in zone 9B, where winter temperatures don't typically dip below 25–30 °F (−4 – −1 °C); but if you live in a cooler area, you can grow still mangoes in containers and bring them indoors during freezing weather. [25]
    • The Cogshall mango variety is a popular choice for growing indoors and can be kept permanently at 8 ft (2.4 m) tall with regular pruning. Even smaller dwarf varieties exist for people with limited space. [26]

Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    How long it will take for a mango plant to bear fruits if grown from a seed?
    Andrew Carberry, MPH
    Food Systems Expert
    Andrew Carberry is a Food Systems Expert and the Senior Program Associate at the Wallace Center at Winrock International in Little Rock, Arkansas. He has worked in food systems since 2008 and has experience working on farm-to-school projects, food safety programs, and working with local and state coalitions in Arkansas. He is a graduate of the College of William and Mary and holds a Masters degree in public health and nutrition from the University of Tennessee.
    Andrew Carberry, MPH
    Food Systems Expert
    Expert Answer
    Typically, it takes mangos grown from seed between 5 and 8 years to bear fruit.
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    Not Helpful 17 Helpful 65
  • Question
    Is a north Alabama winter too harsh for a mango?
    Andrew Carberry, MPH
    Food Systems Expert
    Andrew Carberry is a Food Systems Expert and the Senior Program Associate at the Wallace Center at Winrock International in Little Rock, Arkansas. He has worked in food systems since 2008 and has experience working on farm-to-school projects, food safety programs, and working with local and state coalitions in Arkansas. He is a graduate of the College of William and Mary and holds a Masters degree in public health and nutrition from the University of Tennessee.
    Andrew Carberry, MPH
    Food Systems Expert
    Expert Answer
    North Alabama is USDA zone 7, which is too cold for growing mango trees outside. You could grow one in a pot, moving it inside for winter.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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  • Question
    Can I grow a mango tree in the UK?
    Community Answer
    Yes, I tried, and I managed to germinate it and it grew about 30cm. As long as you have a greenhouse and give it enough water and good care, it should be fine.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/MG216
      2. ↑ https://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/fruit-nut/fact-sheets/mango/
      3. ↑ https://youtu.be/vbrgpxPihb4?si=wDijg6dxflxf6pAy&t=54
      4. ↑ https://crfg.org/homepage/library/fruitfacts/mango/
      5. ↑ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2763731/
      6. ↑ https://youtu.be/vbrgpxPihb4?si=uh9SpAggIfMZeG5E&t=91
      7. ↑ https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/mangoes/propagating-mangoes
      8. ↑ https://hartley-botanic.com/magazine/grow-avocados-mangos/
      9. ↑ https://youtu.be/vbrgpxPihb4?si=r00T28vdhpOyw1hg&t=190
      1. ↑ https://youtu.be/vbrgpxPihb4?si=Gk97U86NQNDtbKY-&t=243
      2. ↑ https://gms.ctahr.hawaii.edu/gs/handler/getmedia.ashx?moid=3072&dt=3&g=12
      3. ↑ https://gms.ctahr.hawaii.edu/gs/handler/getmedia.ashx?moid=3072&dt=3&g=12
      4. ↑ https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/media/sfylifasufledu/miami-dade/documents/tropical-fruit/CommonMangoQuestionsRevised.pdf
      5. ↑ https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/mangoes/propagating-mangoes
      6. ↑ https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/MG216
      7. ↑ https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/MG216
      8. ↑ https://youtu.be/YznnrvmLfuE?si=Fp2s6l2htfXMpUUJ&t=200
      9. ↑ https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/MG216
      10. ↑ https://youtu.be/YznnrvmLfuE?si=SUD7XeAN_UZUkLLr&t=1041
      11. ↑ https://youtu.be/YznnrvmLfuE?si=XsCiOLlqWjPBbMay&t=998
      12. ↑ https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/MG216
      13. ↑ https://youtu.be/H7SN7nvVk-0?si=UL1ny9ijGPzYx-_Z&t=104
      14. ↑ https://plantvillage.psu.edu/topics/mango/infos
      15. ↑ https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/stlucieco/2024/03/13/managing-anthracnose-and-powdery-mildew-on-mango-tree/
      16. ↑ https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/
      17. ↑ https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/media/sfylifasufledu/miami-dade/documents/tropical-fruit/CommonMangoQuestionsRevised.pdf

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      Before you plant a mango tree, make sure to check your climate zone. Mangoes grow best in warm places that have mild winters. If your climate can support a mango tree, get a seed from your local nursery or from a local mango tree, if you can. If you can't, try planting the seed from a store bought mango. To plant the seed, bury it 8 inches deep in a container filled with rich, well-draining soil. Water the seed daily until it develops into a seedling and transplant the tree outside after 1-2 years. To learn how to germinate your mango seed, see our Gardener reviewer's instructions below!

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