The Mango is India's national fruit and one of the country's most cherished trees, celebrated as the 'King of Fruits'. Native to the Indian subcontinent, this large evergreen tree bears glossy green foliage, fragrant clusters of small flowers, and the famous sweet, juicy fruits in summer. Grafted varieties like Alphonso, Kesar, Dasheri and Langra fruit faster and stay more compact, making them suitable even for large pots and terrace gardens. Beyond its prized fruit, the mango tree carries deep cultural and religious significance in India, its leaves used in toranas and auspicious ceremonies.
Specifications
| Family |
Anacardiaceae |
| Native region |
Indian subcontinent |
| Mature height |
3–10 m (grafted, manageable); larger in ground |
| Mature spread |
3–8 m |
| Growth rate |
Moderate |
| Foliage |
Glossy evergreen lance-shaped leaves; reddish when new |
| Flower colour |
Creamy yellow, fragrant panicles |
| Flower season |
Late winter to spring |
| Climate zone |
Tropical to subtropical |
Care guide
| Sunlight |
Full sun; minimum 6 hours for fruiting |
| Watering |
Regular when young; deep but infrequent once established |
| Soil / mix |
Deep, well-draining loamy soil |
| Temperature |
24–37°C; mature trees fairly hardy, young ones frost-sensitive |
| Humidity |
Moderate |
| Fertilizer |
Balanced feed plus potash before flowering; compost yearly |
| Pruning |
Prune after harvest to shape and control size |
| Repotting |
For potted grafts, up-pot every 2–3 years |
| Propagation |
Grafting (recommended); seed (slow, variable) |
| Pests & problems |
Mango hopper, mealybugs, fruit fly, anthracnose, powdery mildew |
| Toxicity / safety |
Fruit edible; sap/peel can irritate sensitive skin |
| Difficulty |
Moderate |
Uses
<p>Grown for its prized edible fruit eaten fresh or in juices, pickles, aamras and desserts; the tree and leaves hold religious and decorative significance in India.</p>
Growing tips
<p>In India choose a grafted variety for faster, true-to-type fruiting, plant in full sun, and avoid heavy watering during flowering and fruit set to reduce drop and disease.</p>