Grow a Mango Bonsai Tree in small spaces or cold climates. A fun way to enjoy a tropical fruit tree in compact form at home.
The mango tree grows best in tropical areas because it loves warm and humid weather. It can’t survive in temperatures below 30°F. A full-grown mango tree can reach up to 32 meters tall. But if you don’t have much space or live in a colder place, you can grow a mango bonsai instead.
With proper care, a mango tree can live for up to 300 years. There are over 500 types of mangoes around the world. Some of the best ones for growing in containers include Irwin, Nam Doc Mai, King Thai, Carrie, Coggeshall, Neelam, Glenn, and Amrapali.
You can grow a mango bonsai from either a seed or a nursery plant, but many people prefer starting with a seed. To grow a mango from seed, choose a ripe, healthy mango. Plant the seed in a pot filled with rich, moist garden soil. Make sure to prune the plant regularly to keep it small and manageable.
Breeding a Mango Bonsai Tree
You can grow a mango bonsai either from a seed or a young plant from a nursery, depending on how much space you have. Many people start with a seed, but it can take up to eight years for the tree to produce fruit.
From Seedling
The best time to grow a mango plant is in spring, late summer, or during the rainy season. Damp soil helps the seed sprout easily. Always choose a fully ripe, high-quality mango because the seed inside will grow into a stronger, healthier tree.
Fill a pot with rich garden soil mixed with humus to help the plant grow faster and healthier. Wash the mango seed and plant it about an inch deep in the soil. Keep the pot in a warm and moist place to help the seed germinate.
Water the plant regularly. It usually takes 3 to 4 weeks for the seed to sprout. Let the plant grow for 6 to 7 months. It usually grows straight, but sometimes it may grow a few branches or leaves along the trunk.
Start pinching off new buds to encourage the plant to grow more branches from the bottom of the main stem.
Pot Size
The pot you use should be big enough to give the mango tree’s roots plenty of room to grow. This helps the plant take in more water and nutrients from the soil. A pot that is at least 20 by 20 inches or bigger is a good choice. Make sure it also has enough drainage holes, as mango trees do best in well-drained soil.
To improve drainage, you can add a layer of potting soil and then a layer of crushed gravel at the bottom of the pot. This helps the plant grow better and produce more fruit.
Using a deep, attractive pot not only makes the tree look nice but also gives the roots enough space to grow properly. A deep pot will help the mango tree grow strong and healthy.
For a Grafted Plant
Growing a mango bonsai from seed takes a long time. A faster and easier way is to buy a grafted mango plant. You can find these at a local nursery or from a mango grower. Dwarf mango varieties can start producing fruit in just 2 to 3 years, and by the fifth year, they usually grow more fruit regularly.
- Fill one-third of your bonsai pot with a mix of half potting soil and half coarse sand.
- Take the seedling out of its nursery pot and place it into the new pot. Add more soil until the roots are fully covered, but make sure not to bury the graft line (the raised ring at the base of the trunk).
- Gently water the plant until water drains out the bottom. For the first month, water every three days. After that, reduce watering to once a week for about two months.
- Keep watering the plant regularly for 2 to 3 years. Once it starts growing fruit, stop watering during fruit development to avoid spoiling the fruit.
- Place the plant in a warm spot that gets 4 to 6 hours of full sunlight daily. A balcony, sunny window, or outdoor area during warm weather is ideal.
Requirements for Growing a Mango Bonsai Tree
Location
Mango trees need plenty of sunlight—about 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight each day. Full sun helps the tree grow well and produce fruit. Place your mango bonsai in a spot that faces south or west to get the most sunlight.
Soil
Mango trees grow best in light, well-drained soil that’s rich in organic matter. The ideal soil pH is between 5.5 and 7.5, which means slightly acidic to neutral. Instead of regular garden soil, it’s better to use potting mix.
When planting, mix in one-third compost or aged manure with the soil to give the plant a healthy start.
Water
Mango trees planted in the ground don’t need much water, but those grown in containers do. For the first 2 to 3 years, water your mango tree regularly to help it grow strong.
When the tree is older and starts to produce fruit, give it moderate water before it begins to flower. Once about 40–50% of the tree is covered with flowers, start watering regularly until the fruits begin to grow.
About one month before harvesting the mangoes, reduce the watering again to a moderate level.
Fertilizer
A balanced fertilizer is important for helping the mango tree grow well. But mango trees are very sensitive to chemical fertilizers, which can burn the plant. So, it’s better to use organic fertilizers like composted manure, bone meal, or fish emulsion. When the tree is still young, feed it lightly with a balanced organic fertilizer.
In spring, when the tree starts to bloom, and again after the fruit has finished growing, you can use a citrus fertilizer.
For better fruiting, reduce the amount of nitrogen and give the tree more potassium and phosphorus.
Don’t use fertilizer while the tree is still holding fruit. Wait until the fruit has dropped. Then, mix one teaspoon of 12-5-9 granular fertilizer in 1 gallon of warm water. Slowly pour one-fourth of this mixture onto the soil.
Water the plant every day for four days so the fertilizer soaks into the soil. For the first three years, repeat this method. After that, switch to one-fourth cup of 4-4-8 fertilizer mixed with 1 gallon of water.
Tweaking and Pruning
To help your mango tree grow fuller and bushier, some pruning is needed. Bonsai trees don’t need a lot of pruning, but it’s important to remove dead, damaged, or tangled branches. These can block air flow and sunlight, which affects the tree’s shape and overall health.
However, avoid heavy pruning, as it can reduce the amount of fruit the tree produces.
Overwintering
Mango bonsai trees don’t grow well in all temperatures, especially in cold regions. If you live in a colder area, you need to take extra care. Cold places are usually dry, so it’s important to give your tree enough warmth and moisture.
A simple and helpful tip is to use a dark-colored pot. Dark pots absorb heat better and keep the soil warm for longer. But when it comes to moisture, be careful—not too much. The soil should stay moist, not soggy. If you water often, make sure the pot has enough drainage holes so extra water can flow out.
Mango bonsai trees must be kept away from frost. When the temperature starts to drop, wrap the pot with bubble wrap to protect the roots from freezing. At night, bring the plant indoors to avoid frost damage. If you have a greenhouse, it’s the perfect place to keep your mango bonsai warm and safe during winter.
Pests
Common pests that attack mango trees include hoppers, scale, mealybugs, and spider mites. You can control them using organic pesticides. If not treated properly, these pests can weaken the tree and reduce the number of fruits it produces.
Pests and diseases are the main problems that harm mango trees. While the sweet smell of mango flowers attracts helpful insects for pollination, some insects damage the leaves and hurt the tree.
Mango trees can also suffer from diseases like powdery mildew, anthracnose, scab, mango malformation, and black rot. These diseases often occur due to changes in temperature, soil quality, sunlight, water, or a lack of nutrients.
To prevent these issues, you can use organic methods like giving the tree enough nutrients, spraying neem oil, or using organic pest sprays.
