How long until a mango tree bears fruit?
Written by
Kiana Okafor
Reviewed by
Prof. Samuel Fitzgerald, Ph.D.Your patience is a hallmark of mango farming. Generally speaking, grafted trees produce fruit in approximately three to four years. Seed-grown varieties typically produce fruit in about five to eight years. I was amazed that my neighbor's Kensington Pride seedling produced its first mangoes in its sixth year, they were not large fruit, but they were astonishingly sweet! Many factors can impact timeline considerations, e.g. climate, soil type, and practices of care.
Grafted Tree Care
- Turpentine rootstock accelerates growth in wet climates
- Prune lower branches to direct energy upward
- Apply 8-3-9 NPK fertilizer every 60 days
- Hand-pollinate flowers for 25% higher fruit set
Seed-Grown Strategies
- Use polyembryonic seeds (e.g., Kensington Pride)
- Soak seeds 24 hours before planting
- Transplant after third leaf pair emerges
- Mulch with rice husks to retain moisture
Polyembryonic seeds significantly reduce the waiting time needed for fruiting. These seeds are formed from multiple embryos found in the seeds that replicate the parent tree. A farmer in Florida reported a reduction of fruiting time exceeding 8-5 years using Kensington Pride seeds. Hybrids found in stores rarely reach expectations; however, if feasible, use varieties that are adapted to your area for reliability.
Strategic pruning during dormancy is recommended. When pruning, you will want to remove branches that grow inward to improve airflow. A client of mine had an overgrown tropical tree that did not produce any fruit for 10 years time, I thinned it out and the following season she had 90 mangoes! Balanced canopies can receive 30% more light with balanced pruning, triggering earlier flowering.
Timing of fertilizer matters. Apply 8-3-9 NPK after monsoon rains to minimize runoff. I lost three saplings to root burn before I learned this trick. For seedlings, dilute to half-strength until they reach the fourth leaf stage.
Read the full article: How to Grow a Mango Tree from Seed in 5 Steps
