Fruits are tastiest and juiciest fresh off the fruit tree and of course the same goes for mangoes.
They’re one of the most popular tropical fruits because they’re so juicy and flavorful, and you can only imagine the delight of eating one right off the tree!
Thankfully, the climate of the southeastern U.S. is tropical enough that we can grow mango trees right at home! And the southern parts of Texas are perfect for growing mangoes.
Mango trees grow in USDA hardiness zones 9 through 11, which covers the southern and eastern parts of Texas, as you can see in the Texas hardiness zone map.
Keep reading to learn about six types of mango trees that grow in Texas.
6 Best Mango Trees for Texas Gardens
1. Glenn Mango Tree (Mangifera indica ‘Glenn’)
The Glenn Mango tree is a very common cultivar that was originally bred in Florida, but is now grown in Texas, California, and in several other countries. This tree is an established favorite because it’s easy to care for and provides a consistent harvest.
Glenn Mango is medium-sized, plus they’re self-fertile so you only need to plant one. They grow well in either full or partial sun and don’t require much maintenance.
Glenn Mango trees, like many mango tree varieties, grow very fast and will reach their mature height in just a few years. These trees have a wide-spreading canopy that also provides nice shade once they’re mature.
Relative to other mango trees, Glenn Mango trees are more cold hardy and can better tolerate cold weather fluctuations. They can handle temperatures down to 30 F, but shouldn’t be left in this cold but rather brought indoors where they can thrive.
- Growing Zones: 9-11
- Average Size at Maturity: 15-20 ft tall by 8-10 ft wide
- Season: Fruits in mid-summer
Available at: Fast-Growing-Trees
2. Haden Mango Tree (Mangifera indica ‘Haden’)
Haden Mango is considered a dwarf variety, reaching only 15 feet at maturity. These trees are great for container gardens and will remain even smaller, about 6 to 8 feet tall, if grown in a pot.
Dwarf varieties are obviously ideal for those with smaller spaces, but also for those who would have a hard time harvesting from a 30+ foot tall tree. Their small size also makes them ideal for growing in containers.
Great news for growers in the northern parts of TX: mango trees grow really well indoors too!
So, even though you can’t plant one in your garden- because mango trees can’t handle cold- you can keep it outdoors in the summer and bring it in for the winter months.
What’s even better is that Haden Mango trees are self-fertile too! And even though this tree is dwarf-size, its fruits are still the same size as regular mangoes!
- Other Common Names: Dwarf Mango
- Growing Zones: 9-11
- Average Size at Maturity: 10-15 ft tall by 7-10 ft wide
- Season: Fruits in mid-summer
Available at: Nature Hills
3. Valencia Pride Mango Tree (Mangifera indica ‘Valencia Pride’)
Valencia Pride is another cultivar that comes from Florida and was bred from the Haden Mango tree.
This variety is really common in Florida for both commercial and home growing because it grows so vigorously.
These mango trees are known to be highly disease and pest resistant, which helps them grow so well. Plus, they’re very fast growers.
Valencia Pride mangoes look and taste similar to most mangoes, except these fruits are larger and can weigh about 2 pounds!
Another special quality of Valencia Pride mango trees is that they’re late-season mangoes, meaning they typically fruit in late July to August.
Why not plant one next to an earlier tree for double mango season?!
- Growing Zones: 9-11
- Average Size at Maturity: 20-30 ft tall by 10-15 ft wide
- Season: Fruits in late summer
4. Keitt Mango Tree (Mangifera indica ‘Keitt’)
Keitt Mango trees are native to Mexico, so naturally they also grow well in southern TX along the Mexican border and along the coast.
The Keitt Mango is a hybrid between the Alphonso Mango and the Manzana de Paz Mango, which is also a Mexican native.
Keitt Mango fruits are also bigger than most mangoes, so much so that they’re not regularly sold in stores and more often home-grown.
Although these fruits are super juicy and have less of a fibrous texture than other mangoes.
The skin is more yellow-orange and only turns red when it’s exposed to lots of sun. Keitt is another late-season mango that ripens at the end of summer.
These mango trees are loved for many reasons: they’re resilient and they consistently give a heavy crop of fruits.
Keitt is another fast grower that reaches its mature height in only five years.
- Growing Zones: 9-11
- Average Size at Maturity: 20-30 ft tall by 15-20 ft wide
- Season: Fruits in late summer
Available at: Nature Hills
5. Manila Mango Tree (Mangifera indica ‘Carabao’)
The Manila or Carabao Mango is native to the Philippines but is well known worldwide as being one of the sweetest varieties of mango.
In fact, in 1955 the Manila Mango was ranked as the sweetest mango in the world by the Guiness Book of World Records!
These fruits are also sometimes called Golden Mangoes, because their skin is golden yellow and hardly ever gets darker than orange.
Manila Mangoes are much smaller than the other varieties listed here, often less than one pound.
They’re also shaped like kidney beans and less oval-shaped like other mangoes. Manila Mangoes ripen sooner too and can be harvested as early as late May!
Because they’re so sweet, there are many different species and new cultivars of Manila Mangoes. Many of the “Golden Mangoes” sold in the U.S. are grown in Mexico.
- Other Common Names: Carabao Mango, Philippines Mango, Golden Mango
- Growing Zones: 9-11
- Average Size at Maturity: 20-30 ft tall by 15-20 ft wide
- Season: Fruits in summer
6. Kent Mango Tree (Mangifera indica ‘Kent’)
Kent Mango tree is another cultivar from Florida- one of many- that is a hybrid between Haden and Brooks mangoes.
It’s become quite popular and has been used to breed new cultivars like Young, Gold Nugget, and Jakarta.
These trees aren’t as popular for orchards that commercially produce mangoes because these fruits don’t have a particularly long shelf life, but that’s no problem if you’re growing in your backyard!
Kent mangoes are very tasty and have less fibers in the flesh, making their texture smoother.
Each mango is about one pound and these trees typically have a large crop every year. In fact, sometimes they continue fruiting into September!
One thing to consider with Kent Mango trees is that they’re pretty susceptible to anthracnose, a fungus that can take over the tree.
- Growing Zones: 9-11
- Average Size at Maturity: 20-40 ft tall by 10-20 ft wide
- Season: Fruits in late summer
Expert Recommendation
Bob Wells Nursery in Texas recommends the Tommy Atkins Mango as one of the hardiest varieties. The fruit is fibrous, has a long shelf life and is highly disease resistant.
– Bob Wells Nursery: 975 County Road 2220, Mineola, Texas 75773
Comparing Texas Mango Tree Varieties
| Variety | Description | Growing Zones | Average Size at Maturity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glenn Mango | Medium-sized, self-fertile tree. Grows well in full or partial sun with minimal maintenance. Fruits in mid-summer. | 9-11 | 15-20 ft tall x 8-10 ft wide |
| Haden Mango | Dwarf variety, reaching only 15 feet, ideal for container gardens. Suitable for indoor growing in colder regions. | 9-11 | 10-15 ft tall x 7-10 ft wide |
| Valencia Pride | Bred from Haden Mango, known for vigorous growth and disease resistance. Produces large mangoes weighing about 2 pounds. | 9-11 | 20-30 ft tall x 10-15 ft wide |
| Keitt Mango | Produces larger, juicy fruits with less fibrous texture. Late-season variety, ripening at the end of summer. | 9-11 | 20-30 ft tall x 15-20 ft wide |
| Manila Mango | Smaller fruits, weighing less than one pound. Ripens earlier, with harvest possible as early as late May. | 9-11 | 20-30 ft tall x 15-20 ft wide |
| Kent Mango | Tasty with smoother texture due to less fiber. Large crop potentially continuing fruiting into September. | 9-11 | 20-40 ft tall x 10-20 ft wide |
Bring On the Home-Grown Mangoes!
Fresh fruit is one of the sweetest treats and if you live in southern Texas, you should really take advantage of your ability to grow a mango tree.
There aren’t many places in the U.S. where you can grow mangoes, so you’re part of the lucky bunch if you can!
But even for those in central Texas and above, don’t lose hope.
You’ll have a hard time growing a mango tree outdoors in your garden, but you can definitely pot one and bring it indoors when temperatures start to get lower.
Mango trees will grow very well indoors and also add an exotic touch to your indoor landscape!
And regardless of the variety you choose, they’re generally very easy-going trees that require little for such delicious fruits.
For more detailed information about these trees, you can use the University of Florida’s mango guide for growing in Florida, since the climate in southern Texas is the same as most of Florida.
I hope you’re feeling ready to start growing these beautiful tropical trees and harvesting fresh mangoes!
