Your Complete Guide to Growing Mangoes, From Seed to Tree

The next time you finish a mango, save the seed and use it to grow your very own mango tree. Though the process is sometimes challenging, mango seedlings can be grown in containers or outdoors. They should be planted during spring or summer during the active growing season and require ample sunlight to produce fruit. Though they can thrive indoors when conditions are optimal, mango trees grow best in warmer climates and are hardy in zones 9 to 11.

How to Choose and Prepare Mango Seeds for Planting

You should plant seedlings from a ripe mango, as the seeds are only viable for a few days after the fruit ripens. Mango seeds should be firm and white, not shriveled or brown. "Not every fruit will contain a viable seed," says Nick Snakenberg, associate director and curator of Tropical Collection at Denver Botanic Gardens. "If the seed looks shriveled or mushy, it might be best to try again with a new fruit."

The seed is held inside a stringy-pulpy husk, which should be cleaned then removed. "Remove the husk by cutting a small hole in the thin edge of the husk," says Melinda Myers, gardening expert and host of the Great Courses How to Grow Anything DVD series. Then use a pair of scissors to cut along the edge of the husk, just enough so you can pry open the husk and remove the seed.

How to Plant Mango Seeds

Whether you want to grow a mango tree outdoors or indoors, the process for starting a mango seed is the same, says Steve Jones, horticulture collections supervisor for the United States Botanic Garden.

1. Wrap the seed in a wet paper towel.
2. Place the seed inside a small bag and zip it closed.
3. Put the bag in a warm, dark location until it germinates (sprouts). 
4. Once it germinates, fill a 3- to 4-inch pot with a well-draining general potting soil.
5. Place the germinating seed flat on the soil and cover it with additional soil.
6. Move the pot to a sunny spot and water thoroughly.

Ideal Growing Conditions for Mango Seedlings

In order to help your mango seedlings thrive, you must provide ideal growing conditions.

Sun

Mango seeds prefer being in a bright location, but they shouldn't be exposed to full sun until they mature. "If indoors, a south-facing window in full light," says Jones. "If outdoors, filtered sunlight." Once fully mature, mango trees should receive at least six to eight hours of sun.

Soil

Mango seeds can tolerate just about any type of soil as long as it is well draining. The soil pH can range from acidic to neutral to alkaline—it's not a fussy plant when it comes to soil preference.

Temperature

Since this is a tropical plant, it thrives in warmer, humid locations. "Mangos do best in temperatures that stay between 65 and 90 degrees," says Jones. "During the summer when they produce fruit, warmth is important." Mangoes are hardy in growing zones 9 to 11.

How to Care for Mango Seedlings

Water

The soil should be kept evenly moist when growing mango seedlings. "As the seedlings grow and develop a more robust roots system you will water less often," says Myers. "Water thoroughly so the excess water runs out the drainage holes and pour excess out of the saucer." You should water the plant whenever the top 2 inches of soil are dry. 

Fertilizer

Fertilizer is not necessary at first. "Wait until the seedling has produced multiple sets of leaves and has filled the pot with roots to fertilize the first time," says Jones. "Then use a well-balanced general fertilizer (even amounts of nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium, as well as micronutrients)."

Common Problems and Pest Prevention

Like many plants, mangoes are susceptible to some common pests and diseases.

Diseases

One common ailment you may see in your mango plant is powdery mildew. "Powdery mildew looks like someone sprinkled baby powder on the leaves," says Myers. It's typically caused by insufficient lighting and poor air circulation. Apply neem or horticulture oil according to label directions at the first sign of the disease.

Fungal leaf spot, which is caused by poor air circulation and wet leaves at night, is another disease you may encounter. To remedy this, try increasing the space between houseplants and watering soil early in the day at the base of the plant as opposed to overhead.

Pests

You may find mites and aphids on your mango plant, as they are more common when conditions are hot and dry. "Regular strong blasts of water on the foliage can help manage these pest populations," says Myers. Additionally, you can use insecticidal soap or horticultural oils, but repeat applications will be needed.

Mealybugs (which look like bits of cotton) and hard scales (which have a hard shell-like covering) suck plant juices and are hard to control due to their protective coverings. In immature stages, the insects can be controlled with insecticidal soap or horticultural oil. Once the covering is in place, you must physically remove the insects with a toothbrush and dissolve in rubbing alcohol.

How to Transplant Mango Seedlings

When the mango tree has filled its pot with roots and is drying out frequently between watering, it's time to transplant it to a bigger container or outdoors, says Jones. It's best to wait until spring or summer to transplant seedling, which is when active growth begins.

Transplanting to a Container

When transplanting a mango seedling to a new container, be sure to select a container that has drainage holes and is only one pot size larger than the current vessel. "Gradually increasing pot size of indoor mango plants helps avoids root rot caused by the excess soil keeping the roots too wet." says Myers.

1. Loosen the plant from the pot, if necessary. Running a knife along the inside of the pot can help.
2. Tilt the pot and slide the plant (root ball intact) out of the pot.
3. Loosen any circling roots as needed.
4. Place potting soil in the bottom of the new container so the plant will grow at the same depth as before.
5. Place the root ball on top of the soil, and fill in the surrounding space with fresh potting soil.
6. Water to remove air pockets.
   

Transplanting Outdoors

You should only plant mangoes outside in areas where temperatures stay about 55 degrees year-round and summers are warm. It's also important to avoid transplanting a seedling in full sun, says Jones.

1. Loosen the plant from the pot, if necessary. Running a knife along the inside of the pot can help.
2. Tilt the pot and slide the plant (root ball intact) out of the pot.
3. Dig a hole the same depth and two to three times wider as the root ball.
4. Roughen the sides of the hole and set the plant in the hole.
5. Backfill with existing soil and water thoroughly.