Native to the Indian subcontinent, ask anyone what their favorite fruits are, and mangoes will most definitely top the list.
It was in 1833 when Florida cultivated its first batch of this tropical fruit and never looked back.
Mangoes come in various tastes, textures, shapes, and sizes. Regardless, very few fruits will compare to the distinct flavor and sweetness that mangoes bring!
In Florida, mango season starts late May and ends sometime in October, but this significantly depends on the variety and season.
If you can’t wait to bring home your first mango tree, here are the eight best types to grow in your garden today!
8 Delicious Mangos that You Should Grow in Florida
1. ‘Tommy Atkins’ (Mangifera indica ‘Tommy Atkins’)
Weighing up to two pounds each, Tommy Atkins mangoes aren’t necessarily the tastiest, but they make great commercial mangoes. Since they’re resistant to diseases and pests and have a long shelf life, they’re often preferred by businesses that sell mangoes.
When it comes to the fruit itself, the Tommy Atkins is oval-shaped, and its green skin is almost completely covered with a deep red blush with some orange and yellow spots. Its fibrous flesh is a deep yellow that has a mild-sweet taste with a somewhat sour aftertaste.
Growing Zones: 9-11
Average Size at Maturity: 20-25 ft tall and 10-15 ft wide
Fruiting/Flowering Season: Flowers appear in spring, fruits can be harvested from late spring
2. ‘Carrie’ (Mangifera indica ‘Carrie’)
As a mango lover, I hate when the strings get stuck in my teeth. One of the best mangos for those who also can’t stand this feeling is the Carrie mango.
Did you know that Carrie is most likely the oldest mango dating back over 4,000 years? There’s a reason why this tropical fruit has adorned orchards and gardens all over the world. It’s not fibrous, so you won’t have to worry about picking strings out of your teeth.
After biting into its deep orange flesh, you’ll experience a rich sweet taste and a somewhat honey aroma. Carrie is resistant to diseases, but don’t overwater the tree as it can quickly and easily attract rot which can harm fruit production.
Growing Zones: 9-11
Average Size at Maturity: 15-20 ft tall and 10-15 ft wide
Fruiting/Flowering Season: Flowers appear in spring, fruits can be harvested from late spring
3. ‘Haden’ (Mangifera indica ‘Haden’)
While this is your dream mango, Haden isn’t disease-resistant and will need constant checks to ensure healthy growth.
Weighing nearly two pounds each, Haden fruits have deep mustard skin with hints of orange and a crimson blush. Bite into one, and you’ll be greeted with a slightly bitter and somewhat thick skin.
This is followed by deep orange fiber-free flesh that melts in your mouth, leaving you with waves of syrupy sweetness to cherish. The aftertaste is just as sweet as when you first experience the burst of flavor. The Haden mango has a slightly floral aroma that keeps you coming back for more!
Growing Zones: 9-11
Average Size at Maturity: 20-30 ft tall and 14-16 ft wide
Fruiting/Flowering Season: Flowers appear in spring, fruits can be harvested from late spring
Available at: Nature Hills
4. ‘Alphonso’ (Mangifera indica ‘Bombay’)
If you’re looking for a fast-growing tree that bears some of the most delicious tropical fruits, the Alphonso mango tree will surprise you. In ideal conditions, the tree produces fruit within three years from when you plant it.
The king of all mangoes, Alphonso mangoes are large and firm with deep yellowish-red skin. Alphonso is love at first bite, literally. Bite into one, and you’ll taste a bit of apricot, peach, and melon drizzled with honey and a citrusy aftertaste.
USDA Growing Zones: 9-11
Average Size at Maturity: 10-15 ft tall and 10-15 ft wide
Fruiting/Flowering Season: Flowers appear in spring, fruits can be harvested from late spring
Available at: Fast-Growing-Trees
5. ‘Valencia Pride’ (Mangifera indica ‘Valencia Pride’)
Valencia Pride became Florida’s sensation in the early 1940s and descended from Haden mangoes.
While this mango isn’t entirely fiber-free, the fibers won’t irritate you when you bite into its juicy and sweet flesh. Weighing anywhere between one and two pounds, Valencia Pride has a honey aroma with fruity notes.
The only drawback to this tasty mango is its availability. The Valencia Pride is available only for a limited period of time during summer. Raw mangoes are green, and ripe ones are bright yellow with a crimson blush.
USDA Growing Zones: 9-11
Average Size at Maturity: 20-30 ft tall and 10-15 ft wide
Fruiting/Flowering Season: Flowers appear in spring, fruits can be harvested from late spring
6. ‘Nam Doc Mai’ (Mangifera indica ‘Nam Doc Mai’)
Native to Thailand, Nam Doc Mai was introduced to Floridians sometime in 1973. It wasn’t long before this fruit, which loosely means “sweet water from the flowers,” became a staple in most orchards and gardens.
Nam Doc Mai melts in your mouth and flows through your throat like sweet water! It’s entirely fiber-free, easy to eat, and extremely sweet and aromatic. They can be containerized and can even be grown in small spaces. Weighing under two pounds each, Nam Doc Mai can be eaten raw and ripe!
USDA Growing Zones: 9-11
Average Size at Maturity: 20-30 ft tall and 10-15 ft wide
Fruiting/Flowering Season: Flowers appear in spring, fruits can be harvested from late spring
7. ‘Cogshall’ (Mangifera indica ‘Cogshall’) – South Florida
Cogshall is a native Florida mango tree – from southwest Florida. It is a compact tree which makes it suitable for tight spaces, balconies, and patios.
This mango type has a great rich sweet flavor. Also, it is fiberless and very juicy. This excellent flavor profile makes this mango type one of the most sought-after in Florida.
The Cogshall mango tree produces fruit three to four years after planting, so you don’t have to wait too long to taste the uber-sweet fruits!
USDA Growing Zones: 10-11
Average Size at Maturity: 20-30 ft tall and 18-25 ft wide
Fruiting/Flowering Season: Flowers appear in spring, fruits can be harvested from late spring
8. ‘Lancetilla’ (Mangifera indica ‘Lancetilla’)
Native to Honduras, Lancetilla is famous for its large, fiber-free, firm, and extremely sweet fruits! On average, each fruit weighs between three to four pounds, but some can even weigh up to five pounds!
This mango is relatively resistant to diseases and pests, and the fact that it can be trained to maintain a 10 feet height makes it a favorite among Florida gardeners.
Large red fruits with lemon-yellow flesh adorn the tree’s branches in summer. Lancetilla is a fast-growing tree that’ll start producing fruits about three years from the time it’s planted.
USDA Growing Zones: 9-11
Average Size at Maturity: 10-30 ft tall and 18-25 ft wide
Fruiting/Flowering Season: Flowers appear in spring, fruits can be harvested from late spring
How to Successfully Grow Mango Trees in Florida
Mango trees are popular in Florida, especially South Florida because one tree can provide lots of juicy and sweet fruit.
Most Florida landscapers, including myself, will tell you that the work it takes to grow a mango tree is worth the effort. For example, Nam Doc Mai is a small tree that produces lots of fruit each year.
Growing mangoes in Florida is notoriously tricky. Many mango trees flower in the winter months. Sometimes frosts don’t kill the trees, but most or all of the blooms, which means a disappointing harvest for that year.
My grandparents live in Central Florida and complain about frosts killing the flowers or young fruits every two to three years.
Knowing your USDA Florida hardiness zone is essential when you grow tropical fruits like mangos or avocados. For example, if you are in zones 9a or 9b, you know that you should protect your mango trees from occasional frosts in the winter.
It would help if you planted all of the above mango types in a spot with full sun. Provide the trees with a moderate amount of rainfall throughout the year. They do best in well-draining sandy loam soil.
You can feed healthy trees with lots of fruit with a low-nitrogen blend three times a year. Of course, organic mango fertilizers are available at Home Depot and other garden centers.
