Mango

Plant Overview

Mango (Mangifera indica) is listed in the Anacardiaceae family and categorized as a fruit with a perennial tree life cycle. This profile summarizes growing information for hardiness, light, soil, water, seed starting, maturity, and other available cultivation details. Difficulty is listed as Moderate.

Plant ID

PLT-0110

Family

Anacardiaceae

Plant type

Fruit

Life cycle

Perennial tree

Growth habit

Evergreen tropical fruit tree with a dense, broad, spreading canopy

Mature height

Commonly about 30-60 feet if unpruned, though maintained orchard trees are often kept much smaller

Mature spread

Commonly about 25-40 feet, depending on cultivar, climate, and pruning

Difficulty

Moderate

Growing Conditions

Mango is listed for full sun conditions. Water needs are listed as moderate; provide consistent moisture during establishment and fruit development while avoiding prolonged waterlogging. The database soil reference is Deep, fertile, well-drained sandy loam or loam with good drainage. The listed soil pH range is 5.5-7.5, and the listed hardiness range is 10-11.

Hardiness zones

10-11

Sunlight

Full sun

Soil

Deep, fertile, well-drained sandy loam or loam with good drainage

Soil pH

5.5-7.5

Water needs

Moderate; provide consistent moisture during establishment and fruit development while avoiding prolonged waterlogging

Plant spacing

Allow roughly 25-35 feet between full-size trees, with closer spacing possible where trees are regularly pruned and managed

Seed & Germination

For propagation, the database note is fresh mango seeds can germinate under warm, moist conditions, but named cultivars are normally propagated by grafting. Planting-depth guidance: For seed propagation, remove the seed from the husk and plant it shallowly in a moist, well-drained medium with part of the seed near the soil surface. Maturity guidance: Grafted mango trees may begin bearing within a few years, while seed-grown trees generally take longer and may not reproduce the parent cultivar. Use these values as general reference points and adjust for local climate, seed source, and growing conditions.

Germination

Fresh mango seeds can germinate under warm, moist conditions, but named cultivars are normally propagated by grafting

Germination temperature

Mango seed germination is favored by warm conditions, generally around 75-90°F, with consistent moisture and good drainage

Seed depth

For seed propagation, remove the seed from the husk and plant it shallowly in a moist, well-drained medium with part of the seed near the soil surface

Sowing method

Seed may be used for seedling or rootstock production, while named cultivars are normally established as grafted nursery trees

Start indoors

Mango seeds can be started indoors in warm, bright conditions, though named fruiting cultivars are usually grown from grafted nursery stock

Transplanting

Plant nursery mango trees at approximately the same depth they were growing previously, protect the root ball from drying, and avoid planting into poorly drained soil

Harvest & Propagation

Days to maturity

Grafted mango trees may begin bearing within a few years, while seed-grown trees generally take longer and may not reproduce the parent cultivar

Harvest

Harvest mature fruit when it has reached full size and developed characteristic cultivar color, aroma, shoulder fullness, and internal maturity; many mangoes finish ripening after harvest

Propagation

Named mango cultivars are normally propagated by grafting onto seedling rootstocks; seed is also used for rootstock and breeding

Seed saving

Seeds can be collected from fully mature mangoes and sown relatively fresh, but seedlings are genetically variable and will not reliably reproduce the parent cultivar

Pollination

Mango flowers are pollinated mainly by insects including flies and bees; many cultivars can set fruit with a single tree, though fruit set is typically low relative to flower number

Garden Information

Common pests

Mango fruit fly, mango seed weevil, scale insects, mealybugs, thrips, mites, leafhoppers, and borers

Common diseases

Anthracnose, powdery mildew, bacterial black spot, stem-end rot, dieback, and other fungal or bacterial diseases

Uses

Fresh fruit, smoothies, juices, chutneys, sauces, desserts, preserves, dried fruit, salads, and tropical edible landscapes