Ivar Leidus / CC BY-SA 4.0
Mango
Mangifera indica
Overview
Called the king of fruits in much of the world, mango is a tropical tree that produces arguably the most beloved fruit on earth, cultivated for over 4,000 years in South Asia. The incredible diversity of mango varieties — over 1,000 named cultivars — offers flavors from pineapple-sweet to resinous and spicy. The tree itself is massive and majestic, providing shade and fruit for generations.
Growing Conditions
How to Grow Mango
Mango (Mangifera indica) is a tree that grows to about 65 feet tall and 82 feet wide.
To grow mango, give it full sun. It is hardy across USDA hardiness zones 9a–12. Plant it in deep, well-drained, fertile sandy or loamy soil, at a slightly acidic pH of 5.5–7.5. It does best with even, moderate watering.
In practice, plant out mango March to May in warm zones and February to April in hot zones. Harvest comes June to September in warm zones and May to September in hot zones. Its yellow flowers appear from February through March, offering high value to pollinators. It is a plant for the low-water garden — patient through heat, slow to complain.
Companion Planting & Soil
Mango grows well alongside ginger, turmeric, banana, and pepper.
Good Companions
Planting Calendar
When to sow, transplant, and harvest by growing zone.
| Zone | Action | Months | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warm (8-9) | Transplant | Mar — May | Plant grafted trees in spring; needs frost-free winters; full sun; wind protection |
| Warm (8-9) | Harvest | Jun — Sep | Harvest when shoulder fills out and fruit gives slightly; ripen at room temperature |
| Warm (8-9) | Prune | Jan — Feb | Tip-prune young trees to encourage branching; prune after harvest in mature trees |
| Hot (10+) | Transplant | Feb — Apr | Plant grafted trees; grow 40+ ft — choose dwarf varieties for small gardens |
| Hot (10+) | Harvest | May — Sep | Pick when color develops; mango takes 3-6 years from grafted tree to first fruit |
| Hot (10+) | Prune | Dec — Jan (wraps) | Prune after harvest; caution — sap causes skin rash in sensitive individuals |
Uses
In the Kitchen
In the kitchen, mango turns up in more than one form: fresh eating at peak ripeness — one of nature's great pleasures; green mangoes in chutneys, pickles, and salads; dried, pureed, juiced, and used in desserts worldwide.
Medicinal & Folk Use
In herbal and folk tradition, it has been valued in several ways: rich in vitamin C, vitamin A, and folate; contains mangiferin, studied for anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties; fiber supports digestive health. These are traditional uses, not medical advice.
Beyond the Garden
Mango earns its keep past the plate, too: majestic shade tree in tropical landscapes; wood used for smoking and cooking.
Safety Notes
In sensitive individuals, ingestion of the fruit or skin contact with the juice may cause a rash like that of poison ivy. (Parts of plant are poisonous if ingested)
