It’s summer, and that means mango season is upon us! It’s an exciting time for those of us who love sweet, juicy fruit. But how much sun do mangos need to grow? And where should you plant them so they get enough sunlight?
We looked into this question for you—and we also learned some things about mango trees in general along the way!
How Much Sun Do Mangoes Need?
Mangoes require at least 6 hours of direct or indirect sunlight each day. The temperature outside does not matter too much when it comes to how much sun your mango needs; yes if it’s extremely hot for long periods of time, you may need to water more frequently or even use a small fan to keep them cool, but if you are within an ideal temperature range (70-80 degrees Fahrenheit), then that shouldn’t be a problem.
The only other thing to keep in mind is that mango plants do not need full sun all day long; they just need lots of light during their growing season, which lasts from February through June and again from August through December here in Hawaii where I live.
Do Mangoes Prefer Full Sun?
The more sun a mango tree gets, the more fruitful it will be. But even though mango trees do prefer full sun, they can still grow well in partial shade. In fact, even many commercial growers plant their trees in areas where they receive partial shade. So if you don’t have a spot that gets full sun all day long, don’t let that deter you from planting a mango tree!
The only time a mango will not be able to grow properly is when there’s zero sunlight available. If your yard has no natural light at all—and most yards do receive some—then this is not an ideal place to plant your mango tree.
Can Mangoes Grow in Shade?
While mango trees prefer full sun, they can tolerate some shade.
If you live in a particularly hot and sunny climate, your mango tree might be happier if it gets a bit more shade during the hottest parts of the day. Otherwise, you may want to consider planting mangoes in a decent-sized container or raised bed—and then bringing them indoors for winter where they’ll get all the sunlight they need!
The ideal amount of sunlight your mango tree receives depends on its variety. Some varieties require as much sun as possible while others will do fine with less light. Most people have luck growing at least one variety of mango that tolerates partial shade well enough but still produces fruit (if there are any fruit-bearing trees available).
Where Do Mangoes Grow Best?
Mangoes grow best in tropical climates that have high temperatures and plenty of sunshine. They need to be in a climate where the temperature stays between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit during the day, with nighttime temperatures dropping down to 60 degrees or so.
If you’re growing them indoors, you can either use artificial lights or move your plants outside during the summer months when there is ample sun exposure.
Can Mangoes Get Too Much Sun?
If you’re growing a mango tree in your backyard, then it’s likely that you already know that full sunlight is the best way for your plant to thrive.
If they’re getting more than six hours of direct sunlight per day (such as near an east-facing wall), then it could lead to scorched leaves and even fruit splitting open prematurely due to heat stress or over-ripening during warmer summer months.
What Happens if Mangoes Don’t Get Enough Sun?
If your mango tree doesn’t get enough sun, it will grow spindly and produce few, if any, fruit. This is because mango trees are tropical plants that need full sun to thrive. Mangos do not tolerate shade well at all and they can actually become more susceptible to pests and diseases when they are grown in shady conditions.
If you want to grow a healthy mango tree with lots of fruit on it—and who doesn’t?—you need to make sure that the plant gets plenty of direct sunlight each day for most of the year.
Conclusion
As you can see, the answer to “how much sun mangoes need” is a bit complicated. Mangoes are tropical plants and require lots of sunlight, but they can also be grown in partial shade. If you want to grow them in full sun, make sure they get at least six hours per day of direct sunlight; if you want to grow them in partial shade (like under trees), make sure they get at least four hours per day.
