Mangos aren’t just a treat for foodies; more and more plant lovers are falling for these tropical beauties. Since it can still be pretty tough to find a full-grown mango tree at your local nursery, many home gardeners are taking matters into their own hands and propagating their own.
The Quick Essentials
There are basically two ways to grow your own mango tree. Depending on what you’re starting with, one might be better for you than the other. Here’s the lowdown:
- Taking cuttings is the fastest route if you already have a tree.
- Growing a seedling from a pit takes a bit more effort.
- You won’t find mango seeds in a packet at the store—you’ll need the real fruit!
Propagating via Cuttings
This is the way to go if you already have a mango tree at home. Simply snip off a branch about 8 inches long, making sure to choose a newer, younger shoot. Strip off the bottom leaves, then plant your cutting into some high-quality potting mix. You’ll want to keep the soil consistently moist. To get those roots moving, mangoes need warmth—think 72°F to 86°F. A nice, cozy spot in your house will help your cutting thrive.
Growing from a Mango Pit
Since you can’t just buy mango seeds at the garden center, you’ll have to go straight to the source: the fruit itself. If you’re ready to start your mango journey from scratch, grab a ripe mango from the grocery store.
First, enjoy the fruit! Once you’ve cleaned off the pulp and reached the hard inner husk, carefully pry it open with a sharp tool. Be super gentle here—if you nick the seedling inside, it won’t grow into that proud tree you’re dreaming of. Once you have the seed out, place it in a pot with fresh soil, covering it with just a thin layer of dirt. Cover the pot with some plastic wrap to create a mini greenhouse and keep the soil damp. With a little patience and a warm spot, you’ll see a sprout in no time.
The Bottom Line: You Can Do It!
Despite their exotic reputation, propagating a mango tree is actually pretty straightforward. If you don’t already have a tree to take cuttings from, it just takes a little bit of surgical precision to get the seed out of the pit. Trust me, the effort is totally worth it—nothing brings those tropical vibes into your living room quite like a mango tree.
