How to Grow a Mango Tree

If you live in a climate that is favorable to mango plants, you can plant and grow your own mango tree and enjoy the sweet, vitamin-packed tropical fruit for years on end. Mango trees prosper in tropical and sub-tropical climates and can be damaged in temperatures below 40 degrees Fahrenheit (4.44 degrees Celsius). It is possible to grow a fruitful mango tree in slightly cooler climates, if the tree is container-kept and moved into a warm, dry environment during the winter. With a little time and patience, it is quite easy to grow a mango tree from seed. Most newly planted mango trees will produce fruit in approximately 5 years. Follow the steps below for a guide on how to grow a mango tree.

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1. 
   1
   Select a large, ripe poly-embryonic mango from your local market. Ask the grocer for assistance if you are unsure of which type of mango to select.
2. 
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   Eat the mango, or remove all existing fruit, until the fibrous pit is exposed.
3. 
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   Clean and extract the mango seed from the pit.
   • Clean the pit with a scrub brush, or steel wool pad, until all hairs have been removed.
   • Dry the pit overnight in a cool location.
   • Open the pit with a sharp knife, as you would shuck an oyster, being careful not to cut too deeply and damage the enclosed seed.
   • Pry the pit open and remove the seed, which resembles a large lima bean.
4. 
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   Germinate the seed.
   • Place the seed about an inch deep, and concave side down, in a container full of quality potting soil.
   • Dampen the soil and store the container in a warm, shaded area until the seed sprouts. This process usually takes 1 - 3 weeks.
5. 
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   Transplant the newly-sprouted seedling to its permanent location, or continue to care for your container-kept mango tree outdoors. Follow the sub steps below if you're transplanting the tree to a permanent ground location.
   • Prepare to transplant at the beginning of the wet season.
   • Choose a protected spot of land, ideally to sunny side the house, which will receive full sun. Above the equator, the sunny side of the house is the south, and vice-versa.
   • Rinse the sides and top of the root ball clean immediately before placing the seedling into the ground.
   • Build a soil ring around the newly planted tree, about 3 inches high and slightly wider than the planting hole. Fill the inner basin of the soil ring with water and allow it to seep into the surrounding soil.
   • Stake the seedling, and continue to support the growing trunk for the first year.
6. 
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   Water the mango tree regularly by filling the soil ring with water. After about six months the soil ring will erode away naturally, indicating that the tree has been properly established.