How to plant a mango seed from the fruit: turn a store-bought mango into a houseplant
Wondering how to plant a mango seed from the fruit? Growing a mango from a seed is fun and rewarding, as long as you have a little patience. So instead of tossing the seed after enjoying the fruit, why not turn it into a charming houseplant for your home?
To successfully grow a mango, plant the seed as soon as possible after eating the fruit, preferably by the next day. Mango seeds lose their ability to germinate quickly and don’t tolerate drying out.
Growing a mango step by step
1. Clean the seed in water by brushing off all remaining pulp; if needed, carefully scrape it with a knife. The task may feel daunting, but keep at it, as even a small amount of fruit pulp can be a breeding ground for bacteria and fungi, which can prevent the seed from germinating.
2. Plant the seed in a large pot, positioning it upright with the narrower end facing up.
3. Cover the seed with soil so that its tip is just level with the soil surface.
4. Keep the soil slightly moist at all times. In about 3–5 weeks, a green bulge should appear at the tip of the seed, from which a shoot will start growing shortly after. If not, wait patiently a bit longer. The mango may surprise you even if you’ve already lost hope!
5. When the shoot is a few centimeters tall, add a bit of soil to make sure the seed is covered completely.
You can also grow a mango by planting the seed completely covered with soil. However, it’s harder to monitor germination this way.
The above instructions are based on botanist Visa Lipponen’s advice.
Another way to grow a mango
If you want to see growth faster or don’t have the patience to clean the seed coat thoroughly, you can also try growing a mango this way.
- Carefully open the husk with a knife. Be cautious, as the husk is very slippery.
- Take the inner seed, rinse it lightly, and wrap it in damp paper towel.
- Place the wrapped seed into a small plastic bag (e.g., ziplock) and put it in a dark place. Ensure the seed doesn’t mold or dry out. Moisten the paper as needed.
- After a few weeks, the mango seed will develop a small root and shoot. At this point, place the seed into a pot filled with soil so that the root grows downward and the shoot remains above the soil.
- Move the pot to a bright spot and keep the soil slightly moist.
