How to Grow Mango Trees in Pots

If you've ever seen a 40-foot-tall, full-size mango tree (Mangifera indica), it's hard to imagine one small enough to grow in a pot. Fortunately, dwarf and semi-dwarf varieties grow happily in containers on a patio or even indoors. Mango varieties well suited for containers include "Brooks", "Julie", "Lancetilla" and "Mallika". Mango trees grow in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones10b through 11

A mango tree needs a large container, but avoid going too big too fast. When you get a new mango tree, pot it in a container 3 inches larger than the nursery pot. As it grows, increase the pot size. Mango trees need repotting every few years. You can tell it's time to repot when:

water collects on the surface of the potting soil instead of soaking in

roots become visible on the surface of the potting soil

the potting soil starts to pull away from the edge of the container or cracks.

As a general guide, a 5-foot-tall mango tree will need a 15-gallon container.

Whether potting up for the first time or repotting a mango tree, use standard potting soil and a container that has holes in the bottom for drainage. Put a little soil in the bottom of the container, and then set the root ball with the base of the trunk about 1 inch below the lip of the container. Add or remove potting soil under the roots as necessary, and fill the soil around the roots up to the base of the trunk. This leaves 1 inch of space for ongoing watering and fertilizing. Look for potting soil with a pH range of 6 to 6.5.

Water when the top 2 inches of the soil dries out and feels crumbly under your fingers. Fill the space between the soil and the lip of the pot with water, and allow it to settle through. Continue until a little extra water leaks out the bottom drainage holes so you know the water penetrated all the way through to the bottom of the soil.

Put a saucer or tray under the pot to protect surfaces, but make sure to empty it after watering. When liquid builds up in the saucer it can restrict air movement and suffocate the roots.

You can grow mango trees in pots outdoors year-round in mild climates, but if winter temperatures drop to or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, you'll need to bring it in for the winter.

Outside, keep the container in a sunny spot where it gets at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. Indoors, pick a south-facing window with lots of bright light.

Fertilize with a fertilizer designed for tropical and citrus fruits. Use 1 tablespoon mixed in 1 gallon of water poured into the soil around the mango tree. Wait six weeks after potting or repotting to fertilize. Then fertilize once a month. Continue fertilizing mangos year-round to supply steady nutrients.