How to Plant a Mango Seed in 5 Steps

In the last 10-15 years, mangoes have exploded in popularity in the United States. This delicious tropical fruit is now sold in all parts of the US, even as far south as Alaska. Not only will you enjoy the sweet treat, but you will also be surprised that you can grow mango seeds from the fruit into a new plant right at home. And if you happen to live in the warmer regions of the US (USDA zones 9+), you can even plant mangoes outdoors. In cooler climates, you can successfully grow mangoes from seed and keep them as houseplants.

Plant a mango seed

The process of growing mangoes from seed is actually pretty simple. Although care should be taken when extracting the semen, both adults and children may find the process fun and rewarding. Before you begin, make sure you have all the materials in place and ready.

• mango
• knife
• scissors
• paper towels
• Plastic bag with zip
• potting soil
• Container

Step 1

The first step in this process is also the best: Eat the mango! Before the large seed can be removed, the pulp should be removed first. Depending on how ripe the mango is, the skin can often be peeled off relatively easily; The bright orange flesh can either be cut off with a knife or eaten much like an apple. In any case, it is advisable to have some dental floss handy afterwards.

step 2

After the shell has been thoroughly cleaned, let it dry for about 24 hours. Then remove the seed from the white outer shell. With the seed pod in hand, use scissors to cut off part of the “thin side” of the pod. After an initial hole has been opened, use the scissors to cut along the side of the shell to reveal the seed inside. Be very careful at this stage as the skin and seed can be slippery. The seed in the shell should be white. Any brown or black coloring or spots usually mean the seed is no longer viable.

step 3

Remove the seed from the shell. You may receive more than one seed. Whether you see one or two depends on the variety. If you see several seedlings, they can be carefully separated and planted individually.

step 4

Wrap the seedling(s) in wet paper towels. A standard-sized, dampened towel is enough to completely wrap a single seedling to keep it from drying out. After wrapping, place the seedlings in a ziplock plastic bag and keep in a warm, bright place until green growth appears. Depending on the warmth of the location and the maturity of the mango at harvest, this waiting time can range from a few days to a few weeks. Be patient and avoid moving the bag around.

Step 5:

Once green growth has formed, remove the seedling from the plastic bag and gently unwrap the paper towel. In your container filled with fresh potting soil, place seedlings just deep enough to cover most of the seed without covering the new green growth. Always keep the soil of your new plant moist and place it in a warm, sunny spot. If you want to take your new mango plant outside, first let it sit in dappled shade for a week before placing it in full sun.

How to take care of a mango plant

Mangoes are in full sun in the tropics (8+ hours of sunshine per day); These plants thrive best with lots of light, warmth, and humidity. If you live in parts of the southern United States like Florida or coastal Southern California where frosts are rare, you can plant your mango seedling directly outdoors. For the rest of the country, mangoes can be grown indoors on a south-facing window. Supplemental artificial lighting is required in northern climates and areas that do not receive strong, full sun.

Otherwise, caring for your mango tree as a houseplant is as easy as growing other well-known house trees like the weeping fig. Give your mango plant a balanced fertilizer during the first few years of growth, then switch to a mix with more phosphorus and potassium. A little goes a long way, so don’t be tempted to add more than the package directions say. And fertilize only during active growth in spring and summer. Be sure to keep the soil moist for the first few years. Once the seedling has outgrown its first pot, transplant it into a pot one size larger.