The mango, Mangifera indica, is an evergreen tree originating in South and Southeast Asia, now cultivated across the tropical and subtropical world. Known as the “king of fruits,” it is one of the most widely grown fruits globally. The tree is celebrated for its dense, spreading canopy and the rich, sweet fruit it eventually produces. Starting one of these tropical trees from a single seed is a rewarding project that requires understanding its basic needs in the initial stages. This article focuses on nurturing a mango through its early development, from germination to establishing a manageable young tree.
Starting the Mango Plant from Seed
The journey of growing a mango begins with the seed, which is encased in a large, protective husk that must first be cleaned of all remaining fruit pulp. Once the husk is clean and dry, it needs to be carefully opened to retrieve the inner seed, which looks like a large, flat bean. To do this, use a sharp, sturdy knife or shears to cut along the thin edge of the husk, being careful not to damage the soft seed inside, before prying the husk open.
The exposed seed is now ready for one of two common germination methods. The first is the paper towel method. This technique involves wrapping the seed in a damp—not soaking wet—paper towel, placing it inside a sealed plastic bag to create a miniature greenhouse. The bag should then be placed in a warm, dark location, such as on top of a refrigerator, and monitored every few days for sprouting.
The second approach is the water method, where the seed is simply placed in a glass of water, rounded side up, and kept on a warm windowsill. With both methods, the goal is to see a root and a shoot emerge from the seed, a process that can take anywhere from one to three weeks. Once the seed has successfully sprouted and root development is visible, it is time to transition it into a container.
Essential Care for Young Seedlings
After successful germination, the young plant requires a specific environment to establish a robust root system and begin vegetative growth. The sprouted seed should be planted in a small, 3- to 4-inch pot filled with a well-draining, loamy potting mix to prevent waterlogged conditions. While mangoes can tolerate a range of soil types, a pH level between 5.5 and 7.5 is optimal for their development.
Proper watering is important for a baby mango plant, as they are susceptible to root rot in overly saturated soil. The goal is to keep the soil evenly moist, watering deeply until excess water drains from the bottom of the pot. Then, allow the top two inches of soil to dry out before watering again. For a new seedling, a consistent moisture level is beneficial, but this frequency can be reduced as the plant develops a more extensive root structure.
Mangoes are tropical plants that thrive in warm conditions, with ideal temperatures ranging between 65 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. The young seedling should be kept in a bright location, but it should not be exposed to intense heat and full, direct sun immediately. Filtered sunlight or a spot near a south-facing window is appropriate for an indoor plant until it matures. New seedlings do not require fertilizer, as they have stored energy from the seed and are often planted in a nutrient-rich mix. Fertilization should be postponed until the plant has produced multiple sets of leaves and the roots have begun to fill the container.
Managing Growth and Development
As the seedling outgrows its initial container, a process known as “potting up” is necessary to provide room for continued root expansion. Young mango plants grow quickly, and transplanting them to a container that is only one size larger helps prevent the excess soil from retaining too much moisture, which can lead to root rot. To repot, gently remove the plant’s root ball from the old container and place it at the same depth in the new pot, filling the surrounding space with fresh potting mix.
Early pruning encourages a bushier, more manageable shape, especially for those growing a mango indoors. The first structural cut should be made when the seedling is approximately 3 feet tall. Head the main stem back to about 30 to 35 inches high, ideally just above a whorl of leaves. This action stimulates the axillary buds below the cut to produce multiple side shoots, forming a strong, multi-branched framework.
Repeat this tipping or heading process on the new branches once they have grown about 8 to 12 inches and their leaves have hardened from light green to dark green. This consistent pruning maximizes the number of growing terminals. Mangoes are terminal bearers, meaning they flower and fruit from the ends of the branches. While grafted trees may produce fruit in 2 to 4 years, a mango grown from seed typically takes 5 to 8 years before it begins to flower and fruit.