Mangos are a sweet and delicious tropical stone fruit that was uncommon in North America due to the difficulty in importing it, but nowadays new varieties of mango trees are grown in the southern United States, making the summer fruit much more accessible.
Mangifera Indica originated in the tropical climate of southeast Asia, but if you live in USDA growing zone 9 or above, you can plant your own backyard mango tree – and if you live in USDA growing zone 4 or above, you can even keep a mango tree in a container on your patio, ensuring you’ll enjoy homegrown mangos of your own!
Quick Facts About Mango Trees
If you’re planning to grow a mango tree in your garden, keep in mind that a mature mango tree can reach anywhere from thirty-two to 130 feet tall. There’s good news if you have a smaller space, though – with regular pruning, mango trees can be kept to a more manageable ten to twenty-three feet tall. Dwarf varieties (like the Carrie Mango Tree) can even be kept in pots (and have the added advantage of being able to be overwintered indoors). Another good thing about mango trees is that they are self-pollinating, so if you’re short on space you need plant only one tree to get fruit.
Mango trees have a long lifespan and can still produce fruit after a century. In fact, the more mature the tree, the tastier the fruit.
How to Grow Mango Trees
Mango trees grow best in temperatures between 80-100°F, so you should live in a warm climate if you want to attempt planting a mango tree. If you live in a climate where temperatures dip below freezing in the wintertime, you’ll need to overwinter your potted mango indoors as freezing temperatures will kill it. Keep in mind that temperatures below 50°F will cause the flowers and fruit to fall off your mango tree.
The best time of year to plant a mango tree is late spring or early summer when the soil is warm enough for the tree to take root in your landscape.
- Choose a congenial spot for your mango tree. You should plant your mango tree in a that gets at least 8-10 hours of sun each day (though seedlings may need some sun protection while they are becoming established. You should also choose a spot with well-draining soil, with a pH balance of 5.5 to 7.5.
- Dig a hole big enough for the size of your potted mango. Prepare the site by digging a hole that is twice as wide and deep as the root ball. Place the mango tree in the hole and backfill the hole with soil.
- Spread mulch around the base of your mango tree. This will help retain soil moisture and protect the young mango tree root. Be careful to avoid the trunk.
- Water your mango tree properly. Water your newly planted mango tree well, and continue to water it every day (or every other day) until it has recovered from the shock of transplanting and begun to settle in.
- Stake your mango tree if necessary. If your new mango tree looks a little fragile, provide it with a supportive stake while it’s young (particularly in breezy climates).
How to Care for Mango Trees
Once your new mango tree is well established, follow these tips for keeping it healthy and thriving and to ensure you get fruit at the proper time (when the tree is around six years old):
Watering. Fully mature mango trees thrive in both wet and dry seasons and don’t need as much water as their younger counterparts. How much water your tree will need will depend on natural rainfall, temperature, and soil moisture retention. During dry weather, water regularly several times a week, making sure that the roots don’t sit in wet and soggy soil.
Fertilizing. Mango trees need nutrient-rich soil to encourage growth and promote fruit production. Fertilizer encourages flowering and helps with consistent and healthy tree growth and fruit production.
Pruning. You should prune your mango tree regularly to keep it healthy and a manageable size. Young mango trees need pruning several times a year. Pruning the new shoots when they reach twenty inches long encourages growth and helps shape your mango tree. Once the mango tree is mature (at around five years old), a single annual pruning should be enough.
Buy Mango Trees Online
Yarden’s collection of mango trees is sure to bring a taste of the tropics to your home! The varieties we offer originated in South Florida and include:
• The Carrie Mango Tree. This variety grows into a dense, rounded form with wide leaves that form a thick canopy, making it a wonderful shade tree. Its compact size is perfect for smaller yards.
• The Haden Mango Tree. A bit more cold-hardy than other mango tree varieties, the Haden produces medium-to-large mangos that are tangy-sweet, juicy and nearly fiberless. The tree is beautiful with dark-green leaves and red new growth.
• The Valencia Pride Mango Tree. The Valencia Pride tree produces medium-large, oval-shaped fruit with a fiberless, silky-textured flesh that’s very sweet with just a touch of tartness. The tree itself is fast-growing and easy-care.
