It is entirely possible to grow a mango tree from the large seed found inside a store-bought fruit. The process of encouraging the seed to sprout is a rewarding horticultural project. Planting the seed allows anyone to cultivate a small piece of the tropics. Successfully growing a seedling into a tree requires specific preparation steps and an understanding of the plant’s needs.
Preparing the Mango Seed for Planting
The initial step involves removing the large, flat seed from the fruit’s center and thoroughly cleaning off all residual fruit pulp. The actual seed is encased within a tough, fibrous, husk-like shell known as the endocarp. This outer layer is difficult for a sprout to penetrate and can be a source of rot if planted directly.
To speed up germination, the endocarp should be carefully opened to reveal the inner seed, which resembles a large, pale lima bean. Use a sharp tool to cut along the thin, curved edge of the husk, taking care not to damage the soft seed inside. Once the husk is pried open, the inner seed, or cotyledon, should be gently removed and checked for any signs of shriveling or discoloration. A healthy seed will be firm and plump.
Some growers choose to pre-sprout the clean seed by wrapping it in a damp paper towel and placing it inside a sealed plastic bag. Keeping this bag in a warm location encourages the seed to sprout a root, which can take anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks. This technique allows for confirmation that the seed is viable before planting it in soil.
Optimal Planting Conditions and Germination
Once the seed has been prepared, plant it in a container with a depth of at least six inches to accommodate the long taproot that develops quickly. The mango requires a well-draining soil mix; a blend of standard potting soil combined with sand or perlite works effectively to prevent waterlogging. The seed should be planted with the slightly pointed end facing downward, or simply laid flat, and covered with about an inch of the soil mixture.
Mango seeds need warmth to germinate successfully, with ideal temperatures ranging between 65°F and 95°F (18°C to 35°C). Placing the pot in a location that receives bright, indirect light, such as a sunny windowsill, helps maintain the necessary warmth. The soil should be kept consistently moist but never saturated, which risks the seed rotting before it can sprout.
Under these conditions, a prepared mango seed typically germinates within two to four weeks. The emerging seedling will often produce leaves that are a reddish or purplish color before they mature into a deep green. This initial growth phase is rapid, but the plant requires continuous warmth and light to thrive beyond the seedling stage.
Understanding the Outcome: The Genetics of Seedling Mangoes
Planting a seed from a store-bought mango results in a unique tree, which may not produce the same quality of fruit as the parent. Commercial mango varieties are propagated through grafting, a method of asexual reproduction that creates a clone of the desired parent tree. A seed, however, is the result of sexual reproduction, combining genetic material from two parents.
The resulting seedling is genetically distinct, meaning the fruit it eventually produces is highly variable in size, flavor, and texture. Mango varieties fall into two groups based on their seed type: monoembryonic and polyembryonic.
Monoembryonic Seeds
Monoembryonic seeds, common in the flavorful “Indian-type” cultivars often found in markets, produce only one seedling. This seedling is a genetic hybrid of two parents.
Polyembryonic Seeds
Polyembryonic seeds, common in “Southeast Asian-type” cultivars, produce multiple seedlings from a single seed. One seedling is a hybrid, and the others are exact clones of the mother tree.
Since the average consumer cannot determine the seed type, planting the seed carries a high chance of resulting in a tree that produces fruit inferior to the parent. This genetic variability is a fundamental characteristic of growing fruit trees from seed.
Long-Term Care and Fruiting Expectations
Caring for a mango seedling is a multi-year commitment, particularly for those living in non-tropical climates. Mango trees thrive in full sun and cannot tolerate frost; temperatures falling below 40°F (4°C) can severely damage or kill the plant. If the plant is grown indoors, it requires the brightest possible light source, often a south-facing window, and should be moved outdoors during warm summer months.
The size of the eventual tree necessitates repotting into progressively larger containers to accommodate the root system, or planting directly into the ground in appropriate climates. A mango tree grown from seed requires patience, as it will take between five and eight years before it reaches maturity and produces its first harvest. A grafted tree, by contrast, produces fruit much sooner.
If the resulting tree yields fruit of an undesirable quality, the tree can still serve a purpose. The established root system and trunk can be used as rootstock onto which a cutting from a known, high-quality mango variety can be grafted. This technique converts the genetically variable seedling into a clone of a superior fruit-producing tree.