Growing a mango tree means a lifetime supply of free mangoes right from your backyard. And that sounds nothing short of amazing!
Hi! I am Stacy Smith, and I am a huge fan of gardening and anything related to it. Most of my days go into looking after my plant babies and maintaining a backyard garden that I am truly proud of.
However, I had always wanted to have a mango tree in my yard, which seemed like a distant reality for the most part.
But my neighbor came to my rescue and told me all about planting a mango tree from a seed. She believes in enjoying the fruit and then growing a plant from the seed itself. This saves money and becomes a fun project to take on- so much so that she even got her 4-year old daughter to help her in the process!
So, I decided to curate a step by step guide on how to grow a mango tree from seed and share the knowledge with my readers.
Read on!
How To Grow A Mango Tree From Seed?
Step 1: Get The Seed Out
First of all, you will need to buy a ripe mango of any variety that you like. Once you have the mango, cut out the pit, and you can make a delicious salad out of the rest.
The pit will be big and covered with flesh, and it will only rot away if you plant it directly. The seed lies within the husk, so you will have to take it out.
For this purpose, you can use a knife to cut the husk open. Start from one end and press lightly. Then you can pry open the rest so that the seed can be taken out. Now, this process is not difficult, but you will have to be careful while using the knife. Furthermore, check if the seed is ripe and healthy before planting it.
Step 2: Propagation Process
There are 3 major ways in which you can grow the mango tree. Remember that all will give you successful results provided you’re careful and follow the right steps.
1. Growing In Soil
I decided to grow my seed in the soil, and my neighbor was kind enough to give me some rich potting soil. If you decide to do the same, take a medium-sized pot and cover the mango seed partially with soil.
You can sow it deeper too, but my neighbor advised me not to. She always keeps the seed visible in the beginning so that she can keep a watch on it. Also, remember to add perlite to the soil so that it drains well.
2. Growing In Water
This is the easiest method, and you can choose this if you want to observe the entire growth process. Use a glass tumbler according to the size of the seed and fill it with water. The seed needs to be completely submerged and the water level should stay above it at all times.
3. Using The Paper Towel Method
This method involves using a paper towel to provide moisture to the seed. Here, you will need to place the seed in a container filled with water. Let it remain immersed for an entire day and ensure that you keep the container in a warm place.
Take your seed out of the water and wrap it immediately with a paper napkin the next day. Moisten the paper napkin beforehand, and then place the seed along with the napkin inside a ziplock bag. Keep the zip slightly open to allow air to enter and keep it in a warm place. Check often and make sure that the paper napkin is always moist.
Step 3: Waiting Patiently
They say good things take time, and my neighbor exactly told me so once the seed was left to germinate. Depending upon the surrounding temperature and weather conditions, the germination can take a week or a month.
During this time, keep a close watch on the seed and ensure the soil is damp if you have planted it in a pot. Likewise, if you have used paper napkins, then keep the paper napkin moist, and in case of water, keep refilling the container.
Other than that, I’d suggest placing the container beside the window where it will receive adequate warmth, sunlight, and fresh air.
Step 4: Watching For The First Signs Of Growth
If you take care of the seed well, you will see a small stem with a leaf or two emerge within a few weeks. That is the first sign of the birth of a new mango tree, and this is when you need to congratulate yourself! And now that you have made it this far, move on to planting the seed in the soil.
Step 5: Repotting
If you had initially planted the seed in soil, this step will not be required, so you can just proceed to water the plant. Otherwise, take a big pot and ensure that there is a hole underneath. Fill it with rich potting soil and perlite so that it covers the germinating seed (but not completely). Keep watering the baby plant, and you will soon see it grow into a tree.
- Grafted Ice Cream Mango Tree: Known for its delicious, small, sweet, and creamy fruit, perfect for small spaces and tropical gardens. Thrives in Zones 10-11.
- Faster Fruiting: Grafted mango trees produce fruit faster than seed-grown varieties, giving you a quicker harvest.
- A mango tree can grow fairly quickly and quite large, reaching a height of 100 feet or more with a canopy of 35 feet or more
- Imagine waking up one day and stepping into your backyard to see your own Julie mango tree—a variety known throughout the Caribbean for its unforgettable flavor and compact growth. Planting this grafted Julie mango isn’t just buying a tree… it’s giving your future self something to look forward to.
- Sun Exposure: Thrives in full sun, creating a serene, tropical atmosphere in your garden
- Soil Type: Grows best in well drained soil, ensuring proper nutrient absorption and water drainage
Conclusion
There are no shortcuts to growing plants, and they will always do things at their own pace. So, be patient and provide them with enough warmth, moisture, and the right kind of soil to create and maintain a favorable environment throughout the process.Â
This will help your plant blossom, and it can start producing fruits in the next few years. Mango trees, in particular, take time to reach that stage, but they can definitely serve the purpose of a decorative addition to your garden till then.Â
I will now leave you to it, and I hope you have a fun time while trying to grow a mango tree. Until next time!