How To Grow a Mango Tree in a Pot

Get the details of the process growing a mango tree in a pot, from selecting the right variety of mango to caring for your potted mango plant. People often wonder, can a grow tree be grown in pots. The answer is yes, you can grow mango trees in large pots, as I am growing in Australia, provided you select the right container and the right mango variety.

With the right care and attention, your potted mango tree can thrive and produce delectable fruit. Following are the essential steps to grow mangoes in containers and how to look after a potted mango tree.

Growing Mango Trees in Pots

Growing Mango Trees in Pots

Suitable Mango Varieties For Growing in Pots

1. Before you begin, the most important thing is to choose the right variety for growing the mango tree in a container. Dwarf mango varieties are ideal for growing in pots, as they are of compact nature and don't grow as tall as standard mango trees.
2. The compact mango tree will not grow as big as a normal tree. The dwarf variety mango trees will grow 3-4 meters tall. So these varieties are more manageable in size and are well-suited to container growing or small spaces.
3. Some popular and best dwarf mango varieties suitable for pots include King Thai, Palmer, Amrapali, Glenn, Nam Doc Mai, Julie, Irwin, Ice Cream, and Manila.
4. If you grow a normal mango in the container, it will grow well for a few years, but after that you will have to repot it in a larger container, or you may trim some of the roots and repot in the same pot. This way the size of the tree will be limited.
5. I am growing normal Kensington Pride mango variety in the pot, and it is growing well for the last 5 years, producing fruit.

Choosing the Container

1. Selecting the appropriate container is a crucial step in growing a mango tree in a pot. A large, well-draining pot with a capacity of at least 50cm deep by 50cm wide (about 15 gallons pot size) is recommended.
2. Make sure the pot has drainage holes to drain excess water to prevent waterlogging, which can lead to root rot.
3. Ensure that the pot is made of a durable material like plastic or ceramic and has a stable base to prevent tipping over as the tree grows. Do not select a tall pot with a narrow base, it will topple down as the tree grows.

Potting Mix and Soil

Mango trees prefer slightly acidic well-draining soil with good aeration. A mixture of potting soil, perlite, and compost is the best soil for mango tree in pot. This mixture provides good aeration and water retention while preventing root rot. Do not use garden soil, as it may become compacted in a pot and restrict root growth.

Planting Mango Tree in Pot

Select a Healthy Mango Seedling

Begin with a healthy mango seedling, either purchased from a nursery or grown from a mango seed (how to grow a mango tree from seed) or from cutting or grafted (how to graft mango tree). I am a  few seed grown mango trees and a mango tree propagated from a cutting in a pot (how to grow mango from cutting).

Plant the Seedling

1. Fill the container with the potting mix, leaving enough space to accommodate the mango seedling's root ball.

Place the mango seedling in the center of the pot and back-fill potting mix. Ensure that the root ball is at the same depth as it was in its original container. Gently pack the soil around the seedling and water it thoroughly.