How to Grow Mango
Mangifera indica
Grow mango in a heated greenhouse or large conservatory in the UK, providing full sun in the brightest position available. A cool, dry winter rest period helps trigger flowering, but temperatures must not drop below 10°C. Water freely in summer and feed fortnightly, switching to high-potash feed as flower panicles develop. Prune after harvest to control size — mango can grow very large even in a container.
Yearly Lifecycle
Care Essentials
Feed fortnightly with a balanced liquid fertiliser from spring to autumn. Switch to a high-potash feed as flower panicles develop to support fruit set and flavour.
Watch For
- Red spider mite (fine webbing, stippled leaves)
- Scale insects (brown bumps, sticky honeydew)
- Mealybug (white cottony masses)
- Anthracnose (dark sunken spots on fruit and leaves)
- Powdery mildew on flower panicles
Track your Mango care schedule — pruning, feeding, and seasonal tasks
Start planning freeCare Requirements
☀️ Light
Full sun, brightest position in heated greenhouse
Full sun in the brightest position available. A south-facing heated greenhouse or conservatory is ideal. Mango needs strong light and warmth to flower and fruit.
💧 Watering
Freely in summer, dry spell before flowering helps
Water freely during the growing season. Reduce significantly during winter and especially during the pre-flowering period, as a dry spell helps trigger flowering.
🌱 Fertilizing
Balanced feed fortnightly, high-potash at flowering
Feed fortnightly with a balanced liquid fertiliser from spring to autumn. Switch to a high-potash feed as flower panicles develop to support fruit set.
✂️ Pruning
Prune after harvest to control size, remove dead wood
Prune after harvest to control size and shape. Mango can grow very large, so regular pruning is essential in a container. Remove dead wood and thin crowded branches.
❄️ Overwintering
Heated greenhouse above 12°C, cool dry rest aids flowering
Keep in a heated greenhouse above 12°C. A cool, dry winter rest period helps initiate flowering, but temperatures must not drop below 10°C.
Growing Tips
Dry rest triggers flowering
A cool, dry winter rest period helps initiate flowering. Reduce watering significantly during winter and especially during the pre-flowering period.
High-potash at flowering
Switch to a high-potash feed as flower panicles develop to support fruit set. Keep foliage dry during flowering to reduce anthracnose risk.
Prune after harvest
Prune after harvest to control size and shape. Mango can grow very large, so regular pruning is essential to manage it in a container.
Humidity deters spider mite
Mist foliage regularly and increase humidity to deter red spider mite, the most common pest of mango grown under glass in the UK.
Ventilate during flowering
Ensure good ventilation during flowering to reduce anthracnose and powdery mildew, the two most significant diseases of mango under glass.
Pests & Diseases
Pest Red Spider Mite
Identification: Fine webbing on leaf undersides, stippled yellowing leaves, tiny mites visible with a hand lens
- Increase humidity by misting regularly
- Introduce predatory mite Phytoseiulus persimilis under glass
- Spray with fatty acid-based miticide, ensuring good coverage of leaf undersides
Pest Scale Insects
Identification: Small brown or white bumps on stems and leaf undersides, sticky honeydew and sooty mould
- Wipe off with a cloth dipped in soapy water
- Introduce parasitic wasps as biological control under glass
- Spray with plant oil-based insecticide
Pest Mealybug
Identification: White cottony masses in leaf axils and on stems, sticky honeydew
- Dab with a cotton bud soaked in methylated spirit
- Introduce Cryptolaemus ladybird as biological control
- Spray with fatty acid or plant oil-based insecticide
Disease Anthracnose Colletotrichum gloeosporioides
Symptoms: Dark sunken spots on fruit, black lesions on leaves and flower panicles, blossom blight
Treatment: Remove and destroy affected leaves, flowers, and fruit. Improve air circulation
Prevention: Avoid overhead watering. Ensure good ventilation. Keep foliage dry during flowering
Disease Powdery Mildew Oidium mangiferae
Symptoms: White powdery coating on leaves, flower panicles, and young fruit. Flowers may fail to set fruit
Treatment: Remove badly affected growth. Improve air circulation
Prevention: Ensure good ventilation. Avoid overcrowding. Keep humidity moderate during flowering
Disease Root Rot Phytophthora spp.
Symptoms: Yellowing leaves, wilting despite moist soil, dark mushy roots, plant collapse
Treatment: Remove from pot, trim rotten roots, repot in fresh free-draining compost. Reduce watering
Prevention: Use well-drained compost. Ensure pots have adequate drainage holes. Avoid waterlogging
Popular Varieties
Alphonso
Considered the "King of Mangos," known for its rich, saffron-coloured flesh and intense floral aroma. Has a short shelf life and delicate skin.
Tommy Atkins
The dominant commercial mango due to its disease resistance, long shelf life, and firm flesh. Has a mild flavour and reddish skin but can be fibrous.
Spacing & Planting
| Plant spacing | 700 cm |
| Row spacing | 800 cm |
| Mature height | 700 cm |
| Mature spread | 500 cm |
Standard trees 7-10m apart. Semi-dwarf/condo types 4-5m. Can be pruned to maintain smaller size.
Log Mango in your garden — track growth, care, and harvests year after year
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