When it comes to summertime in Florida, few fruits reign as plentiful as the Mango (Mangifera indica). With its tropical flavor, lush growth, and vibrant presence in both home gardens and orchards, the mango has become a staple across the southern half of the Sunshine State, especially as the climate changes and zone 10 keeps creeping north. With these changes in climate, mango cultivation has surged in popularity and scale over the last few decades with the commercial acreage doubling in the last thirty years according to the USDA.What makes Mango such a great fruit tree to plant in Florida? In short; variety and flavor. There are hundreds of mango cultivars available to Florida growers — from giant canopy trees to compact dwarfs, and from early bloomers to late-season varieties that extend the harvest into September. There are even some unreliable winter mango cultivars out there. But perhaps the biggest driver of mango mania is taste. A tree-ripened mango from a high-quality, named cultivar will blow away any mango you’ve had from the grocery store. These commercial mangos are usually picked underripe to withstand shipping, sacrificing flavor for shelf life. In contrast, backyard growers can experience the full spectrum of mango magic from the many distinctly tasting mango cultivars — from the rich, exotic taste of Coconut Cream or Piña colada to the tropical tart-sweet balance of Sugar Loaf, or the zesty citrus explosion of Lemon Meringue or Lemon Zest. Many other top-tier cultivars include Carrie, Valencia Pride, Mallika, and Nam Doc Mai, just to name a few. Whether you prefer your mangos fiber-free, candy-sweet, or with a hint of pine or spice, there’s a cultivar for you so you should definitely attend some Mango Festivals this summer!

Key Mango Cultivars

There are hundreds of mango cultivars—each with its own flavor, growth habit, and harvest window. Choosing the right one allows you to match your mango tree to your landscape and your tastebuds. Here are some of the most recommended cultivars for Florida home growers:

‘Pickering’

• Mature Size: ~10–12 feet; naturally dwarf
• Ripening Time: Early season (June–early July)
• Taste: Creamy, sweet, and slightly coconut-like with little to no fiber
• Why Grow It: Perfect for small yards or even large container growing. Compact and precocious—fruits heavily even when young.

‘Carrie’

• Mature Size: ~10–15 feet; semi-dwarf

  

• Ripening Time: Early to mid-season (June)
• Taste: Intensely rich and spicy, with strong aroma and no fiber
• Why Grow It: Excellent disease resistance. Fruit can ripen off the tree without losing much quality. Great for those who love bold, tropical flavors.

‘Coconut Cream’

• Mature Size: ~15 feet; bushy and compact
• Ripening Time: Mid to late season (late July–August)
• Taste: Velvety texture, extremely rich coconut-vanilla flavor
• Why Grow It: One of the most decadent mango experiences. Limited commercial availability makes it prized by backyard growers.

‘Sugarloaf’

• Mature Size: ~15 feet; compact
• Ripening Time: Mid-season (July)
• Taste: Exceptionally sweet with hints of pineapple and coconut; no fiber
• Why Grow It: Unique, standout flavor with manageable size. A favorite among mango collectors and connoisseurs. This might be the hottest mango cultivar right now.

‘Glenn’

• Mature Size: 15–20 feet; medium, manageable canopy
• Ripening Time: Early season (May–June)
• Taste: Classic mango, mildly sweet with a hint of peach or tropical fruit; fiberless and smooth
• Why Grow It: A Florida classic that’s easy to grow, dependable, and consistent. Excellent disease resistance and early harvest make it a favorite for home gardeners.

‘Nam Doc Mai’

• Mature Size: ~15–20 feet; semi-compact
• Ripening Time: Early to mid-season (June–July)
• Taste: Very sweet and floral, firm with minimal fiber
• Why Grow It: A Thai dessert mango with excellent visual appeal and fragrance. Great for slicing and eating fresh.

‘Lemon Zest’

• Mature Size: ~15–20 feet; medium growth habit

  

• Ripening Time: Mid-season (July)
• Taste: Bright citrusy flavor, tangy-sweet with a hint of lemon candy
• Why Grow It: Bold flavor and excellent eating quality. Not ideal for humid inland areas due to anthracnose sensitivity, but outstanding near the coast with airflow.

‘Mallika’

• Mature Size: ~15–18 feet; manageable and upright
• Ripening Time: Late season (August–early September)
• Taste: Complex flavor with notes of citrus, melon, and spice; must be ripened off the tree for peak flavor
• Why Grow It: Indian-origin cultivar with superior storage quality and flavor development. Ripens late when others are done.

‘Maha Chanok’

• Mature Size: 15–25 feet; elegant, spreading canopy with moderate vigor
• Ripening Time: Mid-season (late June–July)
• Taste: Complex, floral, and sweet with a firm, fiberless texture and melon/citrus notes
• Why Grow It: Exceptional fruit quality with ornamental appeal and long shelf life. Highly resistant to anthracnose, making it great for Florida’s humid climate. A favorite among collectors and connoisseurs.

‘Keitt’

• Mature Size: 25–30+ feet; vigorous and upright
• Ripening Time: Late season (August–September)
• Taste: Another classic. Mild and sweet, low in fiber; large fruit often weighing over 2 pounds
• Why Grow It: Excellent for extending your mango season. Heavy producer, often bearing fruit when others are done.

‘Valencia Pride’

• Mature Size: 30–40 feet; fast-growing and large
• Ripening Time: Mid-season (late July)
• Taste: Classic mango flavor—sweet, juicy, and aromatic
• Why Grow It: Vigorous and ornamental with a large canopy and huge fruit. Excellent shade tree for larger landscapes.

  

Bonus Tip: With careful cultivar selection, you can plant multiple mango trees to stagger your harvests and enjoy reliable fresh fruit from late May through September. If space is tight, choose dwarf cultivars that can be kept under 12 feet with annual pruning.

Mango Tree Placement & Care

To get the most from your mango tree, smart placement is essential. While mango trees are easy to grow in much of South Florida. They prefer full sun, well-drained soil, and protection from frost. Placement matters—give them room to grow, good air flow, and a spot where you can enjoy the shade and beauty they offer. They are very resilient though, being able to take flooding and salt like few other fruit trees when our extreme weather events hit.

Site selection:

• Sunlight: Mangos need full sun—at least 8 hours daily for good fruiting.
• Soil: Well-drained sandy or loamy soil is best. Avoid areas where water pools after rain.
• Spacing: Standard mangos need about 25–30 feet of space. Dwarf cultivars can be planted 10–15 feet apart.

Avoid planting near septic fields, under power lines, or too close to structures. Mangos have strong roots and can grow large without regular pruning.

Planting Instructions

1. Dig a wide hole—twice as wide as the root ball and just as deep.
2. Loosen the root ball gently and set the tree in the hole with the top of the root system slightly above ground level.
3. Backfill with native soil (no need to amend).
4. Water deeply right after planting.
5. Apply 3–6 inches of mulch around the base, keeping it a few inches away from the trunk.

Care and Maintenance

• Watering: Young trees need regular watering until established (about 6 months to 1 year). After that, mangos are very drought-tolerant.
• Fertilizing: Light fertilization 2–3 times a year with a balanced fertilizer is fine. Avoid over-fertilizing, especially with nitrogen, which can reduce fruiting. Calcium and potassium are key.
• Pruning: After harvest (typically July–August), prune to maintain height for picking fruit, remove crossing branches, and encourage airflow and light.

This helps shape the tree before it sets next season’s buds and encourages new growth at a reachable height for future harvests. Left unpruned, mango trees can soar to well over 40 feet tall — majestic, but much harder to manage and pick fruit.Cold Protection: In extreme cold snaps, use frost cloth or temporary heaters until the tree is well established. Cold damage during bloom (Dec–Feb) can reduce fruit production on mature trees.

Excess Fruit, A Common Issue

Make Your Summer Sweeter: Visit a Mango Festival

If you’re wondering which mango tree is right for your yard — or you just want to taste the incredible diversity of flavors — don’t miss a local mango festival this summer. These events often feature tastings, tree sales, grower tips, and chef demos. It’s the perfect way to discover new cultivars and connect with fellow mango lovers. . Naples Botanical Garden, Bok Tower Gardens, Fairchild Botanic Gardens, Palm Beach County, Pine Island Florida, and other places all host yearly Mango / Summer Tropical Fruit Festivals. I have been to many and never had any bad experiences.

The future of Mango

Few fruits are as well adapted to Florida’s changing climate, and I hope to see commercial mango farms replace dwindling orange groves. Their popularity as a fruit continues to grow, not just on farms but in backyards, food forests, and community gardens across South Florida. From homeowners planting a single tree to collectors curating entire orchards of rare varieties, the mango is becoming a centerpiece of the Florida summer landscape. At our office we have planted the tried-and-true Valencia Pride, the dwarfy and productive Carrie, and the newer favorite Lemonzest in our Food Forest. With the right cultivar and a little care, you too can enjoy a delicious, drought-tolerant, and ornamental fruit tree that truly earns its crown as the King of Summer Fruits here on the Suncoast.