There’s nothing quite like the taste of a homegrown mango. That sun-warmed sweetness, the juice running down your hands, and the pride that comes from picking fruit straight from your own tree… it’s one of the true joys of gardening in Queensland.
And the good news? Mangoes aren’t just for those with acreage or tropical estates. With new dwarf and compact varieties available, even a small backyard (or large pot on the patio) can be the perfect spot for a mango tree.
Here’s a little guide to some of our favourite varieties — plus tips to help you grow them like a pro.
First, a Few Growing Tips
Position is everything: Mangoes love full sun and warmth. Choose a spot with at least 6 hours of direct sun a day, and good air movement to help reduce fungal issues.
Soil matters: Free-draining soil is essential. Avoid heavy clay. Slightly sandy, well-mulched soils are ideal. If planting in a pot we suggest using Platinum Potting Mix and if in the ground we suggest you use a mix of the original soil and Searles Garden Soil
Watering: Once established, mango trees are quite drought-tolerant. But young trees need regular watering, especially in dry spells or when flowering and fruiting.
Feeding: A well balanced fertiliser like Organic Link every three months helps with flowering and fruit set. Do not use Organic Link once flowering starts as too much leaf growth can limit fruit. I use a liquid fertiliser, Plant Care, fortnightly during this time.
Pruning: Keep your tree in shape with light pruning after harvest. This helps control height and encourages branching for future fruit. Dwarf varieties especially benefit from this.
Pests & diseases: Watch out for anthracnose and black spot, especially in humid seasons. Good airflow, pruning, and copper-based sprays (when needed) can help keep things in check.
Mango Varieties We Love
Dwarf Mango ‘King Thai’
Elongated fruit similar to Nam Doc Mai, with green skin that ripens to yellow with a pink-red blush. Incredibly sweet. Grows to around 4m (can be kept smaller), making it perfect for pots or compact gardens. Great resistance to anthracnose and black spot.
Dwarf Mango ‘Palmer’
A late-season variety with stunning purple-red fruit. Large, elongated, sweet and almost fibreless. Grows to about 5m and fruits in 3–5 years. Good, consistent cropper. Also great in pots.
Mango ‘Florigon’
One of the softest, sweetest varieties we’ve tasted, fibreless and melt-in-your-mouth. Smaller fruit (300–350g), but also a small seed. Moderate resistance to anthracnose. Can grow up to 10m but responds well to pruning down to 5m.
Mango ‘Kent’
Sweet, juicy, and low-fibre. Ideal for eating fresh, juicing or drying. Big fruit (400g–1kg) and big tree potential (up to 10m), but again, responds well to pruning. Keep it trimmed and well-fed for a lush, productive tree.
Mango ‘R2E2’
Mid-season, with large, brightly coloured fruit. This one’s a bit of a legend, developed right here in Australia and now the third most popular mango grown commercially. Upright habit, so early pruning is key. Long shelf life and excellent for eating or gifting.
All of these mango varieties are self-pollinating, so you only need one tree to get fruit. Though we won’t blame you if you plant a few different types to extend your mango season and add a bit of variety to the harvest bowl!
If you're dreaming of mangoes this summer, now’s the time to get planting.
Come in and chat with us. We’ll help you find the right mango for your space, pot, or palate.