How often should I water mango trees?
Written by
Kiana Okafor
Reviewed by
Prof. Samuel Fitzgerald, Ph.D.Watering mango trees is a delicate balance, as seedlings need to be watered every day while a mature tree can be watered weekly. I lost my first mango sapling to overwatering until I read how to check the soil spik It is best to stick to about 1 gallon for daily issues with saplings, while an established tree can receive between 3-5 gallons per week. I watch the weather and flowering conditions to adjust as needed so flowering is not dropped.
Seedling Care (0-2 years)
- Daily watering: 1 gallon per tree in morning hours
- Use a long-spout can to target roots
- Avoid wetting leaves to reduce fungal risk
- Pause watering if rainfall exceeds 0.5 inches
Mature Tree Maintenance (3+ years)
- Deep weekly soak: 3-5 gallons per inch of trunk diameter
- Install drip lines 18 inches from trunk
- Reduce to 0.5 inches weekly during flowering
- Mulch 6 inches thick to retain moisture
Moisture meters eliminate guesswork. Target 25 to 30 percent soil saturation values, I test typically at 6 inches near the drip line. Above 40 percent the tree is susceptible to root rot, and below 15 percent it is stressed. A client's tree had yellowing leaves, the moisture meter tested at 45 percent. Reducing water levels in a week the tree was healthy again after 3 weeks.
Flowering must be closely managed. When the buds are formed, simply cut back to 0.5 inches a week on the water. This will simulate the dry seasons that induce flowering. After using this method in my orchard, I had a 25% increase in yield. When the fruits are about the size of a golf ball, return to the normal amount of water to allow the fruit to plump.
Read the full article: How to Grow a Mango Tree from Seed in 5 Steps
