To plant a mango seed, eat the mango, scrub the pit clean, carefully cut open the tough husk to remove the bean-shaped seed inside, wrap it in a damp paper towel in a plastic bag until it sprouts (usually 1–3 weeks), then plant it about 1 inch deep with the sprout up in well-draining potting mix. Keep it warm and in bright light. A seedling grows quickly, but a mango tree grown from seed can take 5–8 years to fruit—and the fruit may differ from the parent.
Can You Grow a Mango From a Store-Bought Mango?
Yes. Many store-bought mangoes have viable seeds, though some imported fruit is treated and won’t sprout. Choose a fully ripe mango and plant the seed soon after eating—mango seeds lose viability as they dry out.
How to Plant a Mango Seed Step by Step
- Clean the pit: scrape and scrub off fruit flesh, then let it dry for a day so it’s easier to handle.
- Open the husk: carefully cut along the edge with sturdy scissors or a knife (wear gloves) and pry it open.
- Remove the seed: take out the bean-shaped seed. Discard it if it’s shriveled or gray.
- Germinate: wrap the seed in a damp paper towel, place it in a plastic bag, and keep it somewhere warm (around 70–80°F / 21–27°C).
- Check every few days and keep the towel damp, not soaking.
- Plant once it sprouts: place it in a deep pot with well-draining potting mix, about 1 inch deep, root down and sprout up.
- Water lightly to keep the soil evenly moist.
Caring for Your Mango Seedling
- Light: 6+ hours of bright light; a sunny window or grow light indoors.
- Temperature: mangoes are tropical and can be damaged by frost—bring them indoors below about 40°F (4°C).
- Water: water when the top inch of soil is dry; avoid soggy soil.
- Feeding: a balanced fertilizer every few months during the growing season.
- Repotting: move to a bigger pot as roots fill it.
- Outdoors: plant in the ground only in warm, frost-free climates.
Growing From Seed vs Buying a Grafted Tree
Pros
- Free, fun project from fruit you already ate
- Makes an attractive houseplant
- Seedlings are vigorous and hardy
Cons
- Can take 5–8 years or more to fruit
- Fruit may not match the parent mango
- Grafted trees fruit sooner and are true to variety
Tip: Some mango varieties are “polyembryonic,” meaning one seed can produce several sprouts that are clones of the parent. These are more likely to give fruit like the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I plant a store-bought mango seed?
Yes, many store-bought mango seeds will sprout. Use a ripe fruit and plant the seed soon after eating.
Can you plant a mango seed from a mango?
Yes. Remove the husk, germinate the inner seed in a damp paper towel or directly in moist soil, then plant it.
Can I plant a mango seed in water?
You can suspend or soak the seed to start roots, but the damp paper towel method or planting in moist soil usually works better and reduces rot.
How many years will it take for a mango seed to grow fruit?
Usually around 5–8 years, and sometimes longer. Grafted trees often fruit in 3–4 years.
Can I grow a mango tree indoors?
Yes, as a houseplant in a large pot with bright light, though indoor trees rarely fruit.
