The Best Mango Trees to Grow in Florida and How to Care for Them

If you live in Florida, you already know the mango is king of tropical fruit. Nothing beats walking into your yard and picking a sweet, sun-warmed mango right off the tree. But with so many varieties out there, choosing the right mango tree can feel overwhelming. The truth is, not all mangos are created equal. The Zill family in South Florida has bred some of the best mango varieties in the world, and I will be honest with you I am a big fan of the Zill mangos. They are known for flavor, production, and uniqueness that other varieties just do not match.

And of course, new varieties keep showing up every year. The list of mangos you can grow in Florida seems to get longer and longer, but these Zill trees are the ones I keep coming back to because they perform and taste amazing in real backyards like mine.

Why Zill Mangoes Stand Out

The Zill family has been developing mangos for decades, and their work changed mango growing forever. These varieties are known for explosive flavor, strong disease resistance, and heavy production. Whether you want a mango that tastes like citrus, coconut cream pie, or pure candy, there is a Zill variety for you.

Top Zill Mango Varieties to Grow in Florida

Carrie

Carrie is one of the most reliable Florida mangos. Small to medium in size, fiberless, and with a rich, sweet flavor, this tree is loved by gardeners who want consistency. It grows compact, which makes it great for smaller yards. Plus, it has good resistance to disease and is one of the easiest to care for.
We grow Carrie in our backyard, and it’s been one of our most dependable producers year after year.

Lemon Zest

This one is a showstopper. Lemon Zest mangos live up to their name with a tangy citrus twist that mango lovers rave about. The tree grows vigorously, so you will need to prune it to keep it manageable. The fruit is fiberless and bright yellow with a flavor that makes you stop and say “wow.”
We have Lemon Zest growing, and for a long time it was my personal favorite mango. The flavor is unlike anything else.

Orange Sherbet

If you like candy, this mango will be your favorite. Orange Sherbet is sweet, juicy, and has notes of tangerine. It is an excellent mid-season variety and works well in most Florida yards. It is not as big as Lemon Zest but still gives you plenty of fruit to share.
Orange Sherbet is also in our backyard. When it ripens, the kids love it because it tastes like pure candy.

Coconut Cream

One of the most unique mangos you will ever taste. True to its name, Coconut Cream has a flavor that reminds you of coconut mixed with mango. The tree is naturally smaller, so it fits well in limited spaces. It does require care with pruning and fertilizing, but the reward is worth it.
We grow Coconut Cream, and it really does taste like dessert straight from the tree.

M4

Known as one of the newer Zill stars, M4 produces late-season fruit, which means you can extend your mango harvest well into the summer. The fruit is large, fiberless, and extremely sweet, often compared to a buttery mango dessert. The tree is vigorous, so pruning is essential, but it will reward you with heavy crops.
We grow M4, and this year it surprised me by becoming my absolute favorite mango. Even better than my old favorite Lemon Zest. The sweetness and texture blew me away.

PPK (Lemon Meringue)

This variety is famous for its candy-like flavor and bright citrus notes. PPK is smaller in size, which makes it easier to manage. It is one of the earliest mangos to ripen in Florida, which means you get to enjoy fruit before most other varieties.
We have PPK as well, and it’s always exciting to get that first taste of the season while other trees are still green.

How to Grow Mango Trees in Florida

Choosing the Right Spot

Mango trees love full sun and well-drained soil. Pick a location that gets at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily. Avoid planting too close to large trees or buildings that will shade them.

Planting

Dig a hole about twice as wide as the root ball but not much deeper. Place the tree so the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding soil. Backfill with native soil, not bagged garden mix, and water it in well.

Watering

Young trees need regular watering until they establish, usually the first year. Once established, mango trees are fairly drought tolerant. Overwatering is one of the most common mistakes, so let the soil dry a bit between waterings.

Fertilizing

Feed your mango with a fertilizer that is higher in potassium and lower in nitrogen. Too much nitrogen will give you lots of leaves but very little fruit. Fertilize lightly in spring and summer. Once the tree matures, it will need less frequent feeding.

Pruning

Zill varieties can grow vigorously, so pruning is important. Prune after harvest to shape the tree and keep it at a manageable size, around ten to fifteen feet. This makes harvesting easier and encourages more fruiting branches.

Pests and Disease

Mango trees are fairly tough, but you may run into anthracnose or powdery mildew, especially during wet seasons. Good airflow, proper pruning, and not overwatering go a long way in preventing these issues.

Other Florida Mango Favorites

Not every Florida mango comes from the Zill family. There are plenty of classics and older varieties that still hold their place in backyards across the state. If you are just starting out, or if you want to add some variety to your food forest, here are a few more worth knowing.

Haden

This is the original Florida mango that started it all back in the early 1900s. Bright red and yellow skin, medium size, and classic sweet mango flavor. It does have some fiber, but it is the tree that paved the way for every Florida mango that came after.

Kent

A later-season mango with smooth, juicy, fiberless flesh. Kent is large, green with a blush of red, and one of the most common store-bought mangos in Florida. Good production and a reliable backyard choice if you want something familiar.

Glenn

Glenn is an easy-to-grow mango that produces heavily and tastes amazing. The flavor is a mix of peach and mango with a smooth texture. It is also more compact than many other varieties, which makes it great for smaller yards. My glen should give us fruit next year that I have planted. 

Valencia Pride

A true Florida classic, and one of the largest mango trees you will ever see. Valencia Pride grows tall and wide with long, curving branches. The fruit is large and bright, and the flavor is sweet and refreshing. It is a mid-to-late season variety, giving you plenty of fruit when other trees are wrapping up. We planted a Valencia-Pride to honor my dad. It grows beautifully in my Central Florida backyard food forest. 

Keitt

If you want mangos late into the season, Keitt is your tree. These mangos can ripen as late as September in Florida, which means you can stretch your mango season when most other varieties are long done. The fruit is big, green, and fiberless with a tangy-sweet flavor.

Final Thoughts

The mango is more than just a fruit. It is part of Florida’s culture, and the Zill varieties take that culture to the next level. Whether you want the citrus punch of Lemon Zest, the candy sweetness of Orange Sherbet, or the creamy uniqueness of Coconut Cream, there is a tree for your yard.

For me, this year’s surprise was M4. It stole the crown from Lemon Zest and showed me just how incredible these Zill varieties can be. And the truth is, the list of mango varieties keeps growing every year. There is always a new flavor, a new tree, a new surprise waiting. But Zill mangos have set the standard, and in my backyard they continue to be the backbone of our summer harvest.

Planting a mango tree is not just about enjoying fruit it is about building a legacy in your yard that your family will remember every summer. Start with one tree, care for it well, and you might just end up as hooked on these Zill varieties as I am.

And if you like to watch my TOP 5 Mangos of ALL TIME that I enjoy (List has changed this mango season)

Check it Out