Mango trees are great in a tropical or sub-tropical garden and can work well with a variety of plants. When planting near a mango tree plant outside of the root zone, keep the tree well fed and watered and plant complementary plants nearby to help with pollination.
This article will explore how to safely plant under a mango tree, what you need to know to keep your mango healthy and great plant choices.
How far away plant from your mango tree
It is important to plant outside of the root zone of your mango tree so they are not competing for nutrients and water.
Mango trees can grow large, up to 100 feet high if you let them so it is important to work out how big your tree will be before you plant. It is ideal to plant outside of the mango tree root zone which will mirror the width of the leaf canopy.
You can trim your mango tree to grow upright, like a wine glass shape which will give you plenty of room nearby to plant. Another option is to plant annuals outside of the current root zone and then remove them as the tree gets bigger and they finish flowering.
Key tips to successfully plant under (or near) your mango tree
Here are my top tips for successfully planting under or near your mango tree. These tips will help to keep both your mango and your new plants healthy and strong without affecting growth or mango production.
1. Keep out of the root zone
My top tip is to keep new plants out of the root zone of your mango. The root zone will be the area under the tree canopy where most of the roots will be. Mangoes have fine root hairs that will absorb water and nutrients and need space to get them.
If you are planting a new mango tree, this is a great opportunity to plant companion plants too. This way you know where the root zone stretches and won’t damage them by digging. Give the mango a little extra space to grow if you are leaving perennial plants in place.
2. Decide how big your mango tree will be
Mango trees can grow huge, to up 100 feet tall and 50 feet wide if they are left on their own. It is important to think about the final size that you want your mango tree to reach and keep plants out of the way of their roots.
Keeping a mango tree trimmed and growing upright is a great idea for small spaces. I am trimming my mango regularly so I can fit it in my small front yard space. This will still give me mangoes but means I can plant lots of companions nearby like canna lilies, citrus trees, flowering shrubs and herbs.
Next to my mango I am growing a lime tree, canna lilies, plectranthus, lily pilly and rosemary. All of these are outside of the mango tree’s root zone and are sharing the space nicely.
3. Improve the soil first
It is essential to improve the soil when planting out a new mango or when you know you will be planting nearby. If you have an established mango tree, you can top dress near the plant with a mix of compost and aged cow manure. This will help to feed the plant, soil, soil bacteria, worms and mango companion plants.
Don’t dig this mix into the soil if your mango tree is already in the ground. Layer it on top of the soil to help build up the layers, provide more nutrients and more room for roots to grow.
4. Choose upright plants
Choosing upright plants are a great option when planting near a new mango tree. Plants that grow up can find the sun and share the space with your mango. I have planted canna lilies next to my mango which are thriving. The mango tree is still taller than the canna lilies but both are getting enough sun to grow fast.
5. Plant in pots and move them around
To grow plants close to your mango the best option is to plant them in pots and sit them on the soil near the tree. That way they won’t be competing with the mango roots for soil and nutrients. You will be able to water the mango at the same time as you water your potted plants.
Great options for pots near mango include strawberries, daisies, pansies and violas.
6. Mulch well
When growing plants near your mango tree it is essential to mulch the soil well. This will help to reduce evaporation, help both plants to get the moisture they need and help to protect plant roots on hot summer days.
Mulch will help to feed soil bacteria which will break down the mulch slowly releasing nutrients for the plants to absorb. Top up mulch levels to 3 inches to help to prevent weeds but still let rain through to the soil and plant roots.
7. Water mango trees and plants regularly
Plants growing under or near mango trees will need regular water to keep both happy. If the mango and nearby plants are getting enough water they will both grow healthy and fast near each other. When the soil dries out this creates competition and either the mango or nearby plants can suffer.
8. Plant annual flowers to attract bees
Annual flowers are fantastic companions for mango trees because they will attract pollinators to help to set more fruit. Annual flowers like violas and pansies are a great option. They can be pulled out at the end of the season to give the mango more room to grow.
9. Plant herbs to use in your kitchen
Planting herbs near mango trees is a great option because they can provide food for you and help to shade the soil. Creeping thyme is a great example that only takes up a small space and works well as a ground cover. Keep it outside of the root zone of your mango and both will be happy.
10. Plant flowering shrubs to increase pollination
Planting flowering shrubs near mango trees is my favorite because they look great, they fill the understory, and they provide food for bees. The bees can visit my mango to pollinate the flowers, and all are happy.
I have planted flowering shrubs like bottlebrush, plectranthus and salvia near my mango tree. Just look out for something that can be trimmed small to keep out of the mango’s way.
11. Feed them regularly
The final thing to remember when growing plants close together is to keep them all well fed. If there is enough nutrients to go around then they won’t compete and affect each other’s growth.
I like to feed my mango and nearby plants with an all purpose fertilizer like pelleted chicken manure. I will top dress with aged manure and compost in spring and everyone is happy.
What to Plant Under a Mango Tree | Summary
Plant a variety of shrubs, herbs, flowering annuals and even citrus near your mango tree. If you give them enough room and keep them trimmed they can happily live in a small space together. When I planted my new mango tree I added a whole bag of aged cow manure and compost to the soil to help it to thrive.
My mango is happily sharing the space with a wide range of flowers and fruit and all are thriving. The key is feeding them well with an organic fertilizer, top dressing in spring and adding a 3 inch layer of mulch.
Happy growing.
I am an accredited practicing dietitian, experienced gardener and a dedicated cook. I love writing and sharing my experience so you can learn from my successes and mistakes.