Last Updated on March 28, 2024
It’s Mango Mania Time!
Ahhhhhhhhh, Florida Mangos – rich, exotic, bursting with flavor, and considered the “crown jewel” of Florida’s tropical fruits.
The fruit is oblong shaped, larger than an apple, thick-skinned, and colorful – with a ripening process that goes from green to sunset yellows and reds.
The inside is yellowish-orange, firm, and juicy – with a large seed in the middle. Just the verbal description can trigger a mango craving.
Mangos are indigenous to India and Southeast Asia and grown in Florida, Texas, California, and Hawaii. Drum roll ….withFlorida being the largest producer in the U.S. market.
Many mangos are grown in Florida both for commercial use and for home gardens.
South Florida’s Dade, Lee, and Palm Beach counties are the leaders in commercial crops. Still, mangos grow along with the southeastern and southwestern coastal areas, the south end of Lake Okeechobee, and up north to Merritt Island.
We see lots of fruitful mango trees throughout the Sarasota area and scattered throughout Central Florida.
Depending on the variety, Florida’s mango season lasts from May through October, but summer is the “peak” mango season.
Mangos are a highly desired Florida fruit, and those fortunate to have their own trees tend to discuss fruit yields and taste for hours at a time.
Trees are a prized possession, and bitter feuds ensue if a mango bandit is discovered — whether an unscrupulous neighbor or wildlife is stealing the fruit for its sweet, succulent taste.
Table of contents
- It’s Mango Mania Time!
- Choose Your Florida Mango Wisely
- A South Florida Mango Road Trip
- Tour Stop #1: Pine Island Nursery
- Tour Stop #2: The Fruit and Spice Park
- Tour Stop #3: Robert is Here Fruit Stand
- Tour Stop #4: Schnebly Redland’s Winery
- Tour Stop #4: Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden
- Four Florida Mango Tree Growing Tips
Choose Your Florida Mango Wisely
Depending on where you are in Florida, and whether you grow them in your backyard orin an orchard, the best Florida varieties to grow depend on your personal preference.
Pine Island Nursery located in Miami-Dade County, farms, and specializes in mangos.
Named “Pine Island Nursery” because of a stand of pine trees that the farm maintains, this place is a great resource for those who want to grow or enjoy the tasty fruit.
Check out the Pine Island Nursery website for a good look at the mango varieties.
Best Types of Florida Mangos
Glenn Mango
This is a deliciously sweet mango with a “mild, peachy flavor” requiring very little effort to grow. It usuallyripens in June and July.
Nam Doc Mai or the Carrie Mango
These mangoes are the “condominium variety,” recommended for individuals with constrained yard space. This type can even be planted in large tree pots.
As the name Nam Doc Mai implies, it comes from Thailand. It is sweet, with aromatic and fiberless melon, peach, and tangerine flavors. It usually ripens in June and July.
Young “Tebow” Mango
The Young Mango is often called the Tebow Mango. A Florida nursery owner renamed it after the famed University of Florida football quarterback Tim Tebow.
It is described as a “champion” with yellow and pink colors. It’s also absent of fiber and ripens in July and August.
Valencia Pride Mango
Thisis another fiberless mango with exceptional flavor. It’s firm, sweet, and succulent, with delightful aromas. Slender in appearance, it also ripens in July and August.
Sulcata Grove in Sarasota
We recently spoke with Celeste from Sulcata Grove. Celeste and her family own and operate a small tropical fruit tree farm and apiary in Sarasota.
Celeste told us there are newer mangos varieties available from Zill High-Performance Plants.
Sulcata Grove’s favorites are Coconut Cream, Sugar Loaf, Orange Sherbet, and Sweet Tart.
Other mango types they consider “great” are Ice Cream and Po Pyu Kalay, also known as Lemon Meringue.Rare fruit collector Maurice Kong introduced these two varieties to Florida from Asia in the 1990s.
The Sulcata Grove YouTube Channel has tasting videos of the different mango varieties.
Sulcata Grove sells the following items via driveway pickup by appointment only:
- Grafted Fruit Trees
- Banana Plants and Passion Fruit Vines
- Seasonal Tropical Fruit (mangos)
- Raw Organic Honey
- Organic, Soy Free, Pastured Eggs
They also sell fresh and freeze-dried mangos on their Sulcata Grove online shop.
You can find out what’s currently for sale and contact Sulcata Grove via their website, Facebook, or Instagram pages.
Other Notable Florida Mango Farms Around Florida
- Tropical Acres Farm in West Palm Beach
- Fruitscapes on Pine Island/Bokeelia
- Nick’s Island Tropical Fruit on Merritt Island
- Ensey Tropical Fruit Company on Merritt Island
- M&M Lee Farm in Fort Myers
- Julie’s Tropical Plants in Apopka (offers a variety of mango trees)
A South Florida Mango Road Trip
Summer is the time of year to enjoy mangos. One of the best locations to learn about Florida mangos is the Redland area of Miami-Dade County.
It is one of the most prolific agricultural areas in all of Florida and is only 20 miles southwest of downtown Miami … it serves as a “city escape” to the country.
The Redland region, near Homestead, has pockets of red clay found in the soil, but it’s also known for its unique tropical and subtropical plants and fruit industry.
Mangos, avocados, and specialty fruits – lychees, jackfruit, sapodilla, and mamey sapote – are just a few species grown in this area.
For a full immersion Florida Mango Tour, we suggest a visit to four locations that are all in the Southeast Florida region within driving distance of one another – a nursery, a fruit and spice park, and a renowned fruit stand.
If you like to indulge responsibly with an adult beverage, a winery specializing in tropical fruit wine and beers.
All of the above helps you become more acquainted with the Florida mango and learn more about the wide variety of tropical plants grown in the state. The bonus is you get to enjoy eating your way through this tour.
Tour Stop #1: Pine Island Nursery
The first stop is a visit to the Pine Island Nursery in Miami (not to be confused with Pine Island on Florida’s west coast, also a well-known mango growing area).
Pine Island Nursery is a 50-acre farm located in an upland Pine habitat southwest of Downtown Miami.
The nursery gives you an overview of Florida’s mangos and other tropical fruits, nuts, and spice trees.
TIPS:
- Nursery staff provide tastings and even a tour.
- They also feature bins filled with seasonal fruit for you to purchase.
- This is an ideal place to buy a tree and get good advice on growing your own fruit.
Pine Island Nursery Address: 16300 SW 184th St., Miami, FL 33187
Tour Stop #2: The Fruit and Spice Park
The Fruit and Spice Park is the only 37-acre tropical botanical garden in the United States. Miami-Dade County operates it. It’s 35 miles south of Miami.
Ithosts over 500 varieties of fruits, vegetables, spices, herbs, nuts, and other commercially important plant specimens worldwide. They are clearly identified throughout the park.
TIPS:
- Guestsare allowed toeat any fruit that has fallen from the tree.
- There’s a “seasonal sampling platter” at the main center.
- Grab a sandwich or salad at the Mango Café if you’re hungry for something beyond fruit.
- Visitors can choose to go on a guided tram tour or walk around on their own.
- Guided tours are conducted daily at 11:00 am, and 1:30 pm, weather permitting.
- Park admission is $10.00 per adult, $3.00 per child 6-11, and children under six are free.
- The Garden, its buildings, and its tour vehicles are accessible to people with disabilities, except for a few areas where the terrain is naturally uneven.
- Wheelchairs are free of charge at the Garden entrance. They are on a first-come, first-served basis (reservations are not accepted).
The Fruit and Spice Park Address: 24801 SW 187th Ave, Homestead, FL 33031
Tour Stop #3: Robert is Here Fruit Stand
“Robert is Here” is one of Florida’s most famous farm stands. The business started in 1959.
When Robert was a first grader, he sold family cucumbers from his roadside stand after school. When he failed to attract customers, he placed a sign that read “Robert is Here” and promptly sold out.
Nowadays, Robert still stands behind the counter, usually along with his son.
TIPS:
- In addition to specializing in juicy, tropical fruits (including mangos), they also sell unique bottled marinades, sauces, salsas, and jams.
- You can also buy a copy of Robert’s book, which he will tell you is not a recipe book, but his life story.
- Robert and his son are happy to sign the book for you.
- Try one of their legendary fruit milkshakes. During the summer, try the mango milkshake.
- Other tropical flavors include key lime. All shakes and smoothies are full of flavor and are delicious.
Robert is Here Address: 19200 SW 344th St, Homestead, FL 33034
Tour Stop #4: Schnebly Redland’s Winery
To finish your day with a little libation. Head to the local Schnebly Redland’s Winery, near Robert’s Fruit Stand. The specialty is tropical wine and beer.
Peter and Denisse Schnebly began their wine business by experimenting with wine production out of their garage. They created wine from tropical fruit instead of grapes.
TIPS:
- Enjoy their wine in the impressively appointed tasting room.
- They offer a selection of daily wines.
- Consider the two mango wines (one called Mango Dolce). They even have Mango beer.
- The selection of tropical wines and beers includes flavors such as guava, lychee, carambola (starfruit), and passion fruit.
Schnelby Redlands Winery Address: 30205 SW 217th Ave, Homestead, FL 33030
Tour Stop #4: Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden
If you haven’t had enough, head north to Miami and visit the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden. With 83 acres, it is one of Florida’s most famous tropical gardens.
This vast selection of tropical plants, flowering trees, and palms is a Florida gardener’s Mecca.
Opened in 1938 and named for Dr. David Fairchild, it is also one of the first to introduce the mango to Florida.
As a result, the organization’s Tropical Fruit Program is dedicated to continuing Dr. Fairchild’s work and research. It now has one of the largest tropical fruit collections in the world.
TIPS:
- Fairchild Garden also has an agricultural station located in Redlands.
- Fairchild is home to the world’s largest mango collection.
- This garden has year-round activities, from the annual International Mango Festival in July to impressive visiting art shows.
- The World Famous Mango Brunch features some of Miami’s best chefs and takes place on the Sunday of the Mango Festival weekend. It sells out fast, so be sure to plan ahead.
- Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is an excellent resource for mango cultivation.
Fairchild Tropical Botanic Gardens Address: 10901 Old Cutler Rd., Coral Gables, FL 33156
Four Florida Mango Tree Growing Tips
#1: Choose a Healthy Tree
A two-gallon container is a good size. A small tree will also establish quicker and grow better roots to resist hurricanes.
#2: Plant Wisely
Depending on the variety, plant mango trees in full sun for best growth and fruit production. Select a part of the landscape away from other trees, buildings, and structures, and also power lines.
Remember, mango trees can become very large if not pruned to contain their size. Select the warmest area of the landscape that does not flood (or also remain wet) after typical summer rains.
#3: Water the Tree Until Established
This is a 1 to 3-month commitment.
Do not irrigate after establishment – irrigation increases disease and lower fruit quality.
#4: Fertilize Lightly
Be sure to use low-analysis fertilizers, not nitrogen fertilizers. Fertilize when your tree is active, and do not fertilize during the winter.
Use a 0-0-50 formulation sprinkled lightly below the drip line of the canopy three times per year.
Fertilize three times per year with foliar micronutrients including magnesium, zinc, and manganese.
For more tips, consult theFairchild Tropical Botanical Gardenwebsite.
Would you like to try Authentic Florida’s Fresh Mango Ice Cream? Check out the Mango Ice Cream Recipe! What about an Authentic Fresh Florida Mango Smoothie? Here’s our Mango Smoothie Recipe.
June is National Mango Month! Mango season is May through October, so any of those months are a great time to go on a Florida Mango Road Trip.
Interested in going on other Florida road trips? Check out our road trip section.
While in South Florida, check out this article:
- 5 Best Things to Do in Homestead, FL
- Swim with an Alligator in Homestead, FL
- Exploring the Extraordinary Florida Everglades
- Top 5 Things to Do in the Florida Everglades
- 9 Top Things to Do in Coral Gables
- 5 Best Vegan and Vegetarian Restaurants in Miami
- Things to Do in Coconut Grove Miami
