Mango - Plant Encyclopedia Results (Page 2)

Mangifera indica (Mango) is a large evergreen tree native to South Asia and among the oldest cultivated fruit trees, grown in India for over 4,000 years. In tropical climates it can reach 60-80 feet with a broad crown of glossy leaves. Small yellowish flowers appear in spring, followed by fleshy drupes known worldwide as mangoes.

Fruit shape varies from oval to kidney-shaped, with skin that may remain green or ripen to yellow, orange, or red. The flesh is juicy and aromatic, sometimes fiberless and sweet, sometimes more resinous depending on type. Mangoes are eaten fresh, dried, blended, or cooked, making them one of the most versatile tropical fruits. Some people experience irritation on the lips from the peel, so fruits are usually eaten peeled.

The tree thrives in full sun and well-drained soil in warm climates, hardy only to USDA Zones 10-11 (Zone 9 only with winter protection). With hundreds of named cultivars, Mangifera indica remains one of the world s most widely grown and culturally important fruit trees.

See Mango varieties.

Mangifera indica 'Elephant' is a large fruited mango cultivar recognized for its unusually big, elongated fruit that can weigh several pounds each. The tree is vigorous with a spreading canopy and is often grown in home orchards where the sheer size of the fruit is considered a novelty. The flesh is pale yellow, moderately fibrous, and sweet with a mild flavor, making it a traditional variety in parts of Southeast Asia.

In cultivation, Elephant mango requires warm, humid conditions, fertile and well-drained soil, and consistent watering during fruit development to support its heavy crop. Due to the large size of the fruit, trees may need support for branches when heavily laden. This cultivar is not frost tolerant and should be grown in USDA Zones 10-11, with protection needed if temperatures fall below 40-45 F. Regular feeding and pruning encourage healthy growth and manageable tree size.

Mangifera indica 'Excellent' (Excellent Mango) is a selected mango cultivar valued for both its heavy yields and the outstanding flavor of its fruit. The tree develops a dense, rounded crown and typically reaches 15-20 feet in managed plantings, though it can grow larger in open ground. Its medium to large fruits have smooth yellow skin with a slight red blush when ripe and firm golden flesh that is sweet, aromatic, and nearly fiberless. Gardeners appreciate this cultivar for combining reliable productivity with the ornamental presence of a well-shaped canopy.

'Excellent' thrives in full sun with fertile, well-drained soil and moderate watering. It flowers in spring with clusters of small yellowish blooms, followed by fruit maturing in summer. Best grown in warm tropical to subtropical climates, it is hardy only to USDA Zone 10-11 and requires frost protection. In cooler regions it can be maintained in a large container and moved indoors or under cover during cold weather, making it as much a decorative specimen as a practical fruit tree.

Mangifera indica 'Fairchild' is a compact mango cultivar developed in Florida and valued for its manageable tree size and dependable performance in warm subtropical climates.

It is especially suited to small gardens and container growing where space is limited.

What makes Mangifera indica 'Fairchild' distinctive?

Mangifera indica 'Fairchild' forms a naturally small, slow-growing tree with a dense, tidy canopy that requires minimal pruning to maintain size. The fruit ripens in the mid-season and produces smooth, fiberless flesh with a mild, balanced sweetness and gentle aromatic character rather than intense richness. The cultivar performs best in full sun with well-drained soil and regular moisture during flowering and fruit development. In USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 9-11, it grows reliably outdoors and is often chosen for home gardens where ease of care and compact habit are priorities.

Mangifera indica 'Fralan' (Fralan Mango) is a rare Thai mango variety named after the word 'Thunder', referring to the way its firm fruit cracks slightly when peeled. The medium to large fruit is long and slender, with smooth green skin that remains bright even when ripe, sometimes showing a soft yellow tinge at maturity. The crisp, fiberless flesh has a clean, aromatic sweetness without any turpentine aftertaste, and develops a pleasant honeyed flavor as it ripens. The tree is moderately vigorous with an open, graceful canopy and produces reliably year after year, making it a valued choice for collectors and home growers alike.

'Fralan' performs best in tropical and coastal subtropical climates and is prized for its adaptability and long harvest season, typically extending from May to August. It grows well in full sun with well-drained soil and benefits from light pruning after harvest to maintain shape and productivity. Trees thrive in USDA Zones 10-11 and need protection from frost, with minimum tolerance down to about 30F.

Mangifera indica 'Fruit Punch' is a Florida-bred mango cultivar developed by Gary Zill and prized for its complex fruit-punch flavor profile and reliable mid-season production.

What makes Mangifera indica 'Fruit Punch' distinctive?

Mangifera indica 'Fruit Punch' grows as a medium-vigor tree with an upright, easily maintained structure that responds well to annual pruning and adapts to full sun and well-drained soil. Its mid- to late-season fruit shows bright yellow-orange flesh with a layered, aromatic sweetness marked by notes of lemon, pineapple, and green grape, alongside classic mango richness. The fruit is monoembryonic, so grafted plants are required to preserve the cultivar's character. In USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 9-11, the tree performs reliably outdoors and can be container-grown with frost protection in cooler areas. With steady warmth, regular moisture during flowering and fruit set, and good air flow to reduce disease pressure, 'Fruit Punch' develops strong yields and consistent flavor quality, making it a valued choice for collectors seeking a dessert mango with a distinctly blended tropical profile.

Mangifera indica 'Gao Lim Krong' is a rare semi-dwarf mango cultivar believed to originate from Thailand. The tree grows with a compact canopy and moderate vigor, making it suitable for smaller gardens and container culture. The fruit is elongated with a smooth yellow skin when ripe and a fiberless flesh that is deep colored, juicy, and aromatic. It carries a thin polyembryonic seed and is reported to ripen early in the season with good resistance to common mango diseases.

In cultivation, 'Gao Lim Krong' requires full sun, warm temperatures, and well-drained fertile soil. Regular watering and feeding promote steady growth and reliable fruiting, while misting is helpful for young trees in hot, dry weather. This cultivar is not frost tolerant and should be grown in USDA Zones 10-11, with protection required if temperatures fall below 40-45 F. Its compact habit allows for successful container culture if sufficient root space and light are provided.

Mangifera indica 'Glenn' (Glenn Mango) is a Florida favorite appreciated for its smooth, fiberless texture and rich, tropical flavor with a mild hint of peach. The medium-sized fruit is oval to oblong with smooth golden-yellow skin, sometimes blushed with pink or red at the sun-exposed side. The deep orange flesh is soft, aromatic, and completely free of fiber, making it excellent for fresh eating. The tree is compact, rounded, and easy to manage, making it one of the best choices for small gardens and container culture.

This variety performs reliably in tropical and subtropical climates, producing an abundant early to midseason crop from May to July. It is resistant to anthracnose and other common mango diseases, providing consistent harvests even in humid areas. Trees thrive in USDA Zones 10-11 and need protection from frost, with minimum tolerance down to about 30F.

Mangifera indica 'Guava' develops as a moderately vigorous tree that responds well to pruning and canopy control. The fruit ripens in the mid-season and produces smooth, fiberless flesh with a distinctive aroma and flavor showing clear guava-like notes layered over mild mango sweetness. The cultivar performs best with regular moisture during flowering and fruit set, followed by drier conditions as the fruit matures to enhance flavor concentration. In USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 10-11, it grows reliably outdoors, while in marginal climates it benefits from frost protection and careful site placement. Its unusual taste profile makes 'Guava' especially appealing to collectors and growers seeking mango varieties with nontraditional flavor expressions.

Mangifera indica 'Haden' (Haden Mango) is the historic Florida variety from which most modern mango cultivars originated. Selected in the early 1900s, it became famous for its vivid color, excellent flavor, and reliable production. The medium to large fruits are round-ovate with smooth yellow skin heavily blushed in red and dotted with tiny white lenticels. The orange flesh is juicy, aromatic, and slightly fibrous, with a classic rich mango flavor that set the standard for later hybrids. The tree is large and vigorous with an upright canopy and heavy branching.

'Haden' thrives in tropical and coastal subtropical regions and fruits mainly from May to July. Although newer varieties have surpassed it in disease resistance, it remains a beloved heirloom for its flavor and beauty. Trees thrive in USDA Zones 10-11 and need protection from frost, with minimum tolerance down to about 30F.

Mangifera indica 'Ice Cream' (Ice Cream Mango) is a rare and compact Florida variety prized for its exceptionally rich, creamy flavor and small, easy-to-manage tree size. The fruit is medium to small, slightly flattened, with smooth skin that stays mostly green even when ripe. As it matures, the color remains greenish to yellow-green with a light orange or red blush on the sun side. The skin often shows small dark lenticels. Inside, the deep orange flesh is fiberless, aromatic, and very sweet, with a dense, custard-like texture reminiscent of tropical ice cream.

Ice Cream performs best in warm, humid subtropical and tropical climates and is especially suited for home gardens and container growing due to its slow, dwarf growth habit. It fruits midseason, producing a modest but high-quality crop with outstanding flavor. Trees thrive in USDA Zones 10-11 and need protection from frost, with minimum tolerance down to about 30F.

Original Indian name is Kalapadi (or Kalapad) - it is a highly cherished, small-to-medium-sized mango native to South India, particularly Tamil Nadu and Kerala.