How do mangoes grow?
The mango tree, scientifically known as Mangifera indica, is an evergreen woody plant. In the wild it can reach heights of 30 meters or more, often spreading with a rounded crown and dense, glossy foliage. Indoors, it can still thrive, and many growers train it into a palm like silhouette through careful pruning.
Leaves are leathery and lance shaped, long and pointed, hanging gracefully. When young they carry a reddish tint. The tiny flowers appear in large racemes, forming compact clusters.
Only one or two of thousands in a cluster ever become fruit.
In the wild, mango fruit tends to be fibrous, but cultivated varieties with smooth, juicy flesh are what shoppers find in stores.
Some cultivars are grown mainly for ornamental value. Mango thrives in tropical monsoon climates, loving bright sun, shelter from strong winds, balanced humidity, and rich, well drained soil.
How to choose mangoes for sprouting
To grow a mango from seed at home, the first step is picking a good fruit. The mango should be ripe, soft and moderately elastic, and free from spoilage.
If a fully ripe fruit isn’t available, buy any fruit and let it reach ripeness. Place it in an open paper bag and leave it there for a few days. You can speed up ripening by keeping nearby fruits such as apples or bananas, which emit ethylene gas that pushes the fruit toward readiness.
How to grow mango from seed: all stages
1. Removing the seeds. Slice the flesh away and remove the stone. The shell is white and fibrous to the touch; crack this shell and extract the seed, which resembles a bean. Healthy embryos are light in color and show no signs of distress, while dark, wrinkled ones are unlikely to survive.
2. Soaking the seeds. To reduce fungal infections before germination, soak the seeds for about 10 minutes in a pale pink solution of potassium permanganate. If that solution isn’t available, a plant fungicide can be used instead.
3. Preparation for germination. After soaking, rinse the seed, then wrap it in a damp gauze or soft cloth, place it in a bag, and set it in a container. The lid should remain open so the seed can breathe and receive oxygen.
4. Waiting. Keep the container in a warm spot and keep the fabric evenly moist. On average, sprouts appear after about two weeks.
If the seed has already sprouted inside the seedling, there is no need to germinate it again; it can be planted directly in soil and watered regularly.
You can also grow mangoes by placing the seed in a container of water so that only the lower two thirds are submerged. Toothpicks can hold the upper portion in place, keeping the seed suspended. Place it in a bright, warm area until sprouts appear.
5. Transplanting. Once the shoot emerges, plant it in a spacious pot with prepared soil—start with a pot about 10 cm in diameter, then move to a larger one as growth continues. It helps if the pot is tall, since mango roots tend to grow deep. Some gardeners start directly in large pots of around 5 liters.
When growing from seeds, the tree prefers neutral, nutritious soil; a citrus substrate works well. At the pot’s bottom, add drainage material up to 3–4 cm high, such as expanded clay, gravel, vermiculite, charcoal, or similar stones.
The seed should be planted in a small depression about 2 cm deep with the roots pointing down. Leave about a quarter of the seed exposed above soil, and water thoroughly.
6. Adaptation. The seedling needs a makeshift greenhouse: a clear plastic cover or cling film helps maintain humidity. Ventilate once a day to keep the soil slightly moist, and water as needed. When a sprout appears, gradually remove the protection by making openings and increasing their number over 3 to 5 days, then remove them altogether.
How to care for a mango tree
Mango is a tropical plant that thrives on warmth, steady humidity, and ample sunlight. It does best with protection from direct, harsh sun and should be shielded from drafts and abrupt temperature changes.
Dry indoor air will dry out the leaves and misting alone is not enough; using a humidifier helps maintain proper moisture levels in the air.
The mango pot should sit on a sunny windowsill or near a bright window, or on a well lit balcony or loggia where it can receive strong light.
When the plant reaches about 1.5 meters, it can be pruned with pruning shears or garden scissors. The crown can be shaped in various styles. For a first prune, trim the branches and remove any struggling shoots. The tree tends to recover quickly after pruning.
Pruning is typically done 1–2 times per year in autumn or spring. After the crown forms, it helps to feed and mist the tree regularly.
If the leaves are dusty, wipe them with a damp cloth or give the plant a spray. A warm shower for the tree is okay from time to time, with the soil covered to protect it.
The initial planting can occur when the sprout reaches 7–8 cm. It is best to replant mangoes in spring, no more than once a year. As the tree ages, it requires less frequent repotting.
If the roots completely fill the pot or become visible through drainage holes, a larger pot is needed. Replanting is also advisable if the tree stops growing or dries out despite regular watering.
Fertilizing once per season with humus or a universal fertilizer for indoor plants helps support growth. With proper care, the seedling can develop into a substantial tree and may even bloom in a few years.
How to plant mango at home?
For a grafted tree to bear fruit, a fruiting branch is usually used. A small bud is taken from a healthy fruiting tree with a sharp, clean knife. On the recipient tree, a T shaped cut is made. The edges are gently lifted and the bud is inserted there. The graft junction is wrapped with a soft cloth and left until the bud grows.
Grafting is best done in the summer. After grafting, adaptation is slow as the branch must grow. First fruits typically appear after 2–3 years. During this period, nitrogen rich fertilizers support ongoing growth.
Even after grafting, fruit production is not guaranteed. The tree may need extra light with a grow light and, in some cases, insect-assisted pollination. City apartments make this task more challenging, but persistent growers can still achieve fruiting.