How to Plant a Mango Seed and Care for a Mango Tree

A mango tree (Mangifera indica) is a fruit tree that grows in tropical climates and bears mango fruit. Mango seeds can be either polyembryonic (a seed with two plant embryos) or monoembryonic (a seed with one embryo). Polyembryonic seeds are similar to grafted plants as they produce fruit that is a clone of the parent tree.

As mango trees grow, they develop large, leathery leaves. They begin producing their signature tropical fruit within a few years of planting as long as they are in an appropriately warm, humid climate. Outdoors, mango trees do best in USDA hardiness zones nine through eleven. Indoors, mango trees can be kept as tropical houseplants.

There are many types of mango trees and cultivated mango varieties. Consider five types of mangos you can buy at the grocery store or grow from a mango seedling.

1. 1. ‘Kent’: This type of mango has tender flesh with sweet and sour flavor notes and a peachy aroma.
2. 2. ‘Carabao’: This mango cultivar from the Philippines produces fruit with a very sweet taste and low fiber content.
3. 3. ‘Alphonso’: This type of mango from India is extremely sweet and buttery smooth in texture.
4. 4. ‘Francis’: Popular in Haiti, this juicy mango variety turns from green to golden as it grows.
5. 5. ‘Haden’: ‘Haden’ mangoes have a slightly bitter aftertaste with a combination of sweet and sour overtones.

Consider the basic steps required to grow a mango plant from a seed.

1. 1. Gather your supplies. You will need a ripe mango, paper towels, potting mix, a flower pot, a pair of scissors, a plastic bag, and a sharp knife.
2. 2. Remove the seed husk from the mango. Carefully use a sharp knife to cut your mango in half and remove the fruit from the seed husk.
3. 3. Clear away any pulp. Clean the mango pulp off the seed husk with a paper towel. Set it aside on a bed of dry paper towels for a couple of days.
4. 4. Remove the mango seed from the husk. Use your scissors to cut a sliver of the husk open. Peel back the husk to remove the delicate seed.
5. 5. Sprout your mango seed. Use damp paper towels to wrap the seed and then place it into the plastic bag. Setting it aside in a warm place is ideal for germination. Check on the seed periodically to see if it has sprouted. Within two to three weeks, a couple of small roots and embryonic leaves should sprout.
   
6. 6. Plant the seed in your potting mix. Once your mango seed has sprouted, plant it in potting soil. Choose a potting mix that is suitable for houseplants. Your pot should have ample drainage holes and a drip saucer. Cover your seed in one inch of potting mix and then water it thoroughly.

After you plant your mango seed in a pot, you will need to continue caring for your plant. Consider some general tips for growing a healthy mango plant.

1. 1. Light: Mature mango trees require full sun, but you can keep your mango houseplant plant in a spot of your home that receives a mix of indirect and direct light. As tropical plants, mangoes thrive in a warm, sunny environment.
2. 2. Humidity: Mango trees thrive in warm, humid environments. If you’re keeping your mango tree as a houseplant, consider misting your plant regularly or placing a humidifier nearby.
3. 3. Repotting: As your mango plant grows, it may become necessary to replant it in a larger pot. Be careful to preserve the root system as you transfer your mango plant.
4. 4. Transferring: If you live in USDA hardiness zones nine through eleven, you may want to transfer your mango plant outdoors. Choose a spot in your garden that receives plenty of sunlight and use loamy soil. Plant your mango tree in the spring for the best results.
5. 5. Propagation: As your plant matures, you can propagate your mango tree by planting a stem cutting in fresh potting soil.

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