Mango trees have long lifespans, can grow quite tall, and provide so much more than just their fruit- the delicious mango. If you are considering planting a tree, this might just be the one for you. What does the timeline look like, though?
It takes mango trees 4 to 8 years to begin producing fruit. Fruit will come in on the faster end of the spectrum if the mango trees are planted as saplings. Plant a mango seed, and it may take up to 10 years to start seeing your work come to fruition.
Let’s walk through the full timeline of a mango tree’s life so that you know exactly what to expect as you grow your tree.
We’ll also cover some tips about how to ensure that your tree grows fast, produces good fruit, and stays protected from pests and disease. Follow along for a while to find out all of the basics!
What is a Mango?
The mango is an edible stone fruit that can range in its exterior color, from yellow to red, orange to purple, and green when not yet ripe.
The interior tends to be a yellow-orange color and there is a stone, or pit, located right in the center of the fruit- from which many new trees can grow.
According to the University of Hawaii at Manoa’s College of Tropical Agriculture & HR, there are over 1,000 species of mangoes, over half of which are located in India.
Often seen as an addition to salsas, smoothies, or main dishes, and even eaten alone, mangoes are a popular, well-loved fruit around the world. This versatile fruit grows in warm locations, but where exactly can you expect to see a mango tree thrive?
What is a Stone Fruit?
A stone fruit, as you might be guessing, contains a stone, or a pit, in the middle of the edible fleshy part.
The stone itself is not the seed but is home to it. You have to cut open the pit in order to get to the seed that you can plant. Otherwise, you’ll have put a mango pit in the ground, and might wonder why on earth nothing ever grows from it.
Apricots, cherries, dates, nectarines, and plums are all other examples of stone fruits, which follow a similar planting process.
Where do Mangoes Grow?
According to the USDA’s Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, mangoes originated in India, which makes sense as this is the most mango-dense location in the world.
The trees made their way across Southeast Asia as Buddhism spread and people migrated with the fruit, planting new trees across the continent.
Today, Asia still grows the majority of the world’s mangoes. However, the majority of mangoes you’ll find in stores are from South America, Mexico, Haiti, and Florida.
Florida, California, Arizona, and parts of Southern Alabama are the main United States regions where mango trees will thrive in. However, there are also conditions in other warm areas that can be considered tropical and will sustain mango tree growth and production.
How Quickly Does A Mango Tree Grow?
It takes a mango tree some time to fully mature, but there are many milestones that we can use to track the different stages of the tree’s life up until that point.
Growth rates will also depend on how your tree began its life, either as a seed (the pit of the mango) or as a sapling (a cutting from another tree, most often.)
A mango tree will take only 4-10 years to begin producing fruit as a stable and maturing tree.
Sometimes, Fruit Can Start Growing Even Quicker!
In some cases of quick growth, and when planted as a sapling, we might even see fruit as early as year 3, although, this is an outlier.
You might be wondering why the difference in the fruit production timeline is about 2-6 years, and it really depends on the way your tree was planted.
Well, trees that are grafted from already-mature trees will not have to do nearly as much work to establish themselves in an environment, which means they can direct more energy toward creating fruit, earlier on in life.
These versatile, flexible trees do well when given a little extra time, attention, and care. So, let’s dive into the timeline you will be following as your tree matures and begins to eventually bear the fruit that you are so patiently waiting for.
Day 1: Finding The Right Mango Seed (or Sapling)
The very first day of our timeline includes finding a seed to plant. You could, of course, also start your growing process with a sapling.
This simply depends on your preference, timeline, and familiarity with plants.
If you decide to begin with a seed, this can be as simple as keeping the pit of a mango you’ve eaten. Ideally, you want to know the specific variety to best care for your new plant, if possible.
Don’t forget that, as a stone fruit, you have to cut the pit open to retrieve the seed that you will plant.
Steps for Planting a Mango Seed
- Cut open your mango to access the stone, AKA the pit.
- Clean the pit until you can see that the husk does not have much extra mango left on it.
- Use some heavy-duty scissors to cut the pit open.
- Squeeze the mango seed out of the husk of the pit.
- Clean any extra coating off the seed, if you see residue.
- Use a wet paper towel to wrap around your seed. Place it in a bag until the seed sprouts. Check the bag often, to avoid waiting too long to retrieve the sprout.
- Plant the seed in potting soil.
- Watch your mango tree begin to grow.
- Eventually, re-pot the mango tree as it grows. If you want, you will eventually place the tree directly in the ground.
Mango seeds should germinate in 2-4 weeks. So, by that stage, you should see some sprouting happen. If you don’t see this by 4-5 weeks, it may be that your seed just isn’t viable. That isn’t necessarily your fault, though – sometimes these things just happen.
For that reason, we recommend following the steps above with a few different mango seeds, to ensure that at least one sprouts and is viable.
Day 1 – Day 90: Planting a Mango Seed
Eventually, as the seed sprouts, roots grow thicker, and your stem has some leaves, your seed is ready to be officially planted.
Begin by placing your seedling into a pot of soil that is able to drain well. You want your roots covered and will choose a small pot first before you can size up down the road.
You can also plant a sprouted mango seed directly outdoors if you want the plant to begin in the place where it will ultimately mature and spend its life. In this case, you’ll want to ensure that there are about 3-4 inches of soil covering the entire root area.
April Through June Is The Best Time To Plant A Mango Tree
April through June is the best time of year to plant your seedling, as this will give it the most time to establish itself before winter hits.
This holds true whether your seedling is potted indoors or outdoors. There are many aspects of winter weather that do not lend to the best progress for newly-planted seeds.
Where to Plant your Mango Seed
Mango trees can thrive in a variety of soils but prefer those that are loamy, moist, and well-drained. They need to be in environments that are generally tropical or sub-tropical. One main component to keep in mind is that a place should have a very low chance of frost.
If you are based in the United States and want to find the best region to plant mango trees, or want to check whether your region is suitable, you can utilize the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone map.
The USDA hardiness zone that mango trees will do best in ranges from zones 9-11.
The Early Months – Year 1: Watching your Mango Tree Grow
The first year is going to be a relatively vulnerable period for your mango tree as a seedling, so watch for any potential lulls in growth.
If you’ve planted as a sapling, you can bypass this more delicate step and watch your tree begin to grow larger more quickly.
There is always a risk with a young tree, regardless of how you’ve chosen to plant it. This is why monitoring your tree is important at all stages. You might consider this, though, as you determine how much risk you want to take on.
Planting In A Pot First Is Recommended
While you can plant directly outdoors, we recommend keeping your seedling or sapling in a pot at this early stage.
Unless you deem it large enough or strong enough to transplant outdoors, utilizing the control that you have over a potted mango tree will help it thrive during its early stage of life.
Year 2 – Year 3: Focusing on Sustaining a Healthy Tree
At this point, regardless of what stage you planted at, you will be dealing with a sapling in one stage or another. So, we will refer to your mango tree as a sapling only, in this section.
During the first few years, if you choose to transplant your tree, you may see some changes in growth.
This is normal, and there are certainly more environmental factors to consider when growing an outdoor tree as opposed to a potted, indoor tree.
Differences Between Indoor and Outdoor Growth
Indoors, you will have the chance to provide a climate-controlled experience for your sapling.
You can maintain a warm and slightly humid environment year-round, as long as you don’t mind your home feeling that way.
There is also the ability to keep your tree in the sunlight without being overexposed at any point.
Outdoors May Be Harder To Control
Outdoors, the air may be a bit drier (or too humid) for your tree at times, the sun may feel just a bit too bright, or there might not be quite as much even sunlight as there had been in front of a certain window indoors.
If you take a tree out of an extremely controlled climate, it might take some time to get re-established in a slightly more volatile growing environment.
If your region is in the growing zones, you shouldn’t see too many differences, but you do want to be prepared for a period of slowed progress as the mango tree adapts.
How to Transplant your Mango Tree Sapling
Transplanting a mango tree should be an easy process, but there are a few things to consider to set your tree up for success.
Follow these steps to ensure that you correctly transplant your mango tree, if you choose to do so:
- Location is key! Make sure that the tree gets lots of even, direct sunlight.
- Dig a hole that can fit your roots, and remember that at least 3-4 inches of dirt should cover them at all times. Fill in any cracks in the dirt, to ensure an even coating.
- Water and fertilize your tree to help it acclimate to its new growing location.
Year 4 – Year 8: Mango Production Begins
Once your tree hits a certain stage of maturity and is established in whichever location you intend to keep it for the majority of its lifespan, it should be smooth sailing. Again, this period of time, years 4-8, will look different depending on how your tree was first planted.
While a tree that was planted from the seed may still be focusing the majority of its energy on growing taller and wider, one that was grafted and planted as a sapling will now be able to switch to producing fruit with some of its energy.
This is the earliest that you will likely see mango being produced, and your first year or two of fruit may not be the best that you ever get. Don’t worry! Over time, your tree will find its groove, and so will you.
Year 9 – Year 10: Delayed Mango Production Begins
Remember, if you’ve planted your mango tree from a seed, you might not see any fruit produced until you hit year 9 or 10.
This is because your tree has to spend its first few years growing into a sapling and then learning to sustain itself. This is, of course, as opposed to a sapling that has already gone through that initial growth, or was grafted from a mature tree, and can start growing fruit for you earlier on.
In the same way as a tree that begins producing fruit during years 4-8, you’ll want to help your tree maintain its basic health so that you can get the best, and highest quantity of mangoes.
The First Few Years Is Important For Tweaking
Regardless of the planting method, you should be seeing fruit during this stage of your mango tree’s life.
Use these first years of fruit production to learn what works and tweak the maintenance of your tree.
This will help you, and your tree, down the road as it continues to grow and produce mangoes.
Year 11 – Year 100 (and Beyond): A Mature Mango Tree Produces Fruit
Mango trees may produce fruit for 40+ years after they begin, but there is potential for your tree to produce fruit for decades longer than that when properly maintained and cared for, in fact, we have a whole article dedicated to a mango tree’s lifespan that’s a must-read!
One way to give your mango tree the extra boost to produce fruit for longer? Fertilizing!
We’ll talk about this more below, but fertilizer is always a good way to go when looking to sustain a tree and its production levels.
Just Make Sure To Not Overfertilize
Keep in mind that overfertilizing can lead to a similar lack in production as overfertilizing, so consulting an expert is recommended.
As a mango tree gets older, it may slowly start declining in its production or there could be a more sudden end to the mango growth.
Overall, this period of maturity and production in your mango tree should be relatively easy when it comes to maintenance.
Is It Better To Grow a Mango Tree From a Seedling or From a Sapling?
This one is ultimately dependent on preference, related to how you want to grow your tree and what you want to get out of it.
There are pros and cons to both routes, and your environment will play a big role in choosing, as will the species of the mango tree that you have decided to grow.
If you want fruit sooner, maybe you opt for a sapling. If your preference is to grow from the very beginning of it all, a seed may be your choice.
Ultimately, both styles of growing a mango tree have their place. If you are unsure what might work best for you, talk to a professional and get some advice. For example, you could stop in at your local nursery – they are there to help you.
Can Mangoes Be Grown Solely in Pots?
In short, yes. Mango trees can be grown solely in pots. You can always transplant saplings from pots to the ground outdoors, but you don’t always have to.
Clay pots tend to be best, and you can always bank on starting off with something like these 6-Inch Clay Pots that come with saucers to promote good drainage.
With over 1,000 varieties of mango trees, many of them dwarf species, quite a few mango trees actually thrive in pots.
Make Sure The Roots Breathe
These pots can be located indoors and sustained as houseplants when given proper light. They can also do well on a patio or balcony, in many locations.
If you choose to grow your mango tree in a container, make sure to choose one that allows the roots some room to breathe.
Don’t be afraid to size up as necessary, either. This will help ensure that your tree does not begin to lose its source of nutrients and that it will continue to bear delicious, plentiful fruits.
Keeping your Mango Tree Healthy
Remember, mango trees to best in the tropical climates that they have originated from.
Make sure to grow your mango tree in a warm, sunny area with low rainfall and low relative humidity. This especially makes a difference during the period of time that your tree is growing in the pot, and becoming large enough to transplant to your outdoor space.
You should live in an area that is warm, sunny, and overall tropical enough to sustain your mango tree.
Make Sure You Have A Suitable Environment
If you begin the growth in an indoor pot, you could eventually transplant the mango tree in a suitable climate.
Pay attention to how well your soil drains, because your tree needs to be watered regularly but will do best with soil that stays dry for the most part.
If your goal is to sustain a fuller appearance of your tree, you can prune it, make sure that it receives even sunlight, and fertilize it once in a while.
DR EARTH Natural Wonder Fruit Tree 5-2-2 Fertilizer is a great way to help maintain the health and aesthetics of your mango tree.
We Have to Man-Go Now
Okay, that might not have been our best pun, but we do need to wrap it up! We hope that this timeline helps you as you work to understand the early life and growth of a mango tree.
As a reminder, the timeline looks like this:
- Day 1
- Pick your mango seed or sapling
- Year 1
- Plant your mango tree and watch it grow
- Years 2-3
- Sustain the early growth of your mango tree
- Years 4-8
- Fruit production begins, when planted from a sapling
- Years 9-10
- Fruit production begins, when planted from a seed
- Years 11-100 (and Beyond)
- Your mango tree is mature, produces fruit, and needs to be maintained
The process can be a fun and exciting one, no matter whether you have started from a seed or a sapling. It doesn’t even matter if you have much experience growing trees. We know that you’ll enjoy your mangoes a little way down the road.
Happy growing! Remember, we are here to support you along your tree journey as best as we can. We sincerely thank you for trusting us to be a part of the journey.
Until next time!
References
Boudon, F., Persello, S., Jestin, A., Briand, A. S., Grechi, I., Fernique, P., … & Normand, F. (2020). V-Mango: a functional–structural model of mango tree growth, development and fruit production. Annals of Botany, 126(4), 745-763.
Lakshminarayana, S., Subhadra, N. V., & Subramanyam, H. (1970). Some aspects of developmental physiology of the mango fruit. Journal of Horticultural Science, 45(2), 133-142.
Legave, J. M., Normand, F., & Lauri, P. E. (2013, June). Climate change and its probable effects on mango production and cultivation. In X International Mango Symposium 1075 (pp. 21-31).
