Mangoes, known as the “King of Fruits,” are popular across the globe, and even in the United States, their cultivation has seen steady growth, especially in Florida, California, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico. If you’re a home gardener, small farm owner, or simply a mango enthusiast, understanding the right mango harvesting time in the USA is key to enjoying the best fruit quality.
In this article, we’ll cover:
- Mango-growing regions in the USA
- Peak harvesting seasons
- Factors that influence mango maturity
- Tips for harvesting and storage
- Best mango varieties grown in the U.S.
🗺️ Where Are Mangoes Grown in the USA?
Although the USA isn’t a top global mango producer, several regions provide the right climate for mango cultivation:
| State | Mango-Growing Zones (USDA) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Florida | 10–11 | Largest mango producer in the US |
| California | 9b–10a | Southern inland valleys, experimental |
| Hawaii | 10–11 | Excellent climate, wide variety range |
| Puerto Rico | 11 | Subtropical and tropical conditions |
✅ Florida is the mango capital of the United States, with cities like Homestead, Miami, and Naples leading the charge.
📅 Mango Harvesting Time by State
🍊 Florida (Mainland USA)
- Harvest Window: May to September
- Peak Season: June – August
- Common Varieties: Haden, Kent, Tommy Atkins, Glenn, Keitt
Florida’s subtropical climate allows for early bloom, making May the start of mango season. Late-season varieties like Keitt can last into early September.
🌺 Hawaii
- Harvest Window: May to October
- Peak Season: July – September
- Common Varieties: Rapoza, Haden, Exel, Common
Thanks to its warm, humid environment, mangoes in Hawaii mature slightly earlier and can have extended seasons.
🌴 Puerto Rico
- Harvest Window: June to November
- Peak Season: August – October
- Common Varieties: Keitt, Palmer, Julie, Parvin
Mango production in Puerto Rico is primarily commercial and geared toward export and processing.
🌞 Southern California
- Harvest Window: July to October (inland)
- Peak Season: August – September
- Common Varieties: Valencia Pride, Nam Doc Mai, Manila
California’s desert-like inland areas with proper irrigation can support mangoes, but frost risks make it tricky.
🍃 How to Know When Mangoes Are Ready to Harvest
Unlike apples or citrus, mangoes don’t ripen completely on the tree—they mature and then ripen off the tree. But harvesting them at the right mature green stage is essential.
🔍 Key Signs of Maturity:
- Shoulders are filled out (rounded instead of flat near the stem)
- A subtle change in color (light green to yellowish hue depending on variety)
- Smoothness increases; less wrinkling
- Fruit size reaches normal range for variety
📝 Pro Tip: Slightly press the fruit—if it gives a little, it’s ready to pick.
🛠️ Mango Harvesting Techniques
- Use hand pruners or harvest hooks to cut the fruit with 2–4 inches of stem.
- Avoid dropping the fruit to prevent internal bruising.
- Don’t pick immature mangoes—they won’t ripen properly and taste bland.
✅ After harvesting, dip the fruit in water for 20–30 seconds to remove latex sap and avoid burn marks.
🧊 Post-Harvest Handling and Ripening
- Store at room temperature (70–75°F) for 3–7 days until fully ripe.
- Once ripe, refrigerate to extend shelf life up to 5 days.
- Don’t store below 50°F, as cold damage can occur.
🍈 For commercial growers, forced-air ripening rooms using ethylene gas are used for uniform ripening before market delivery.
🥭 Popular Mango Varieties in the USA and Their Harvest Time
| Variety | Origin | Flavor Profile | Ripening Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haden | Florida | Rich, aromatic | May – June |
| Kent | Florida | Sweet, low fiber | July – August |
| Tommy Atkins | Florida | Firm, long shelf life | June – July |
| Keitt | Florida | Late-season, tangy | August – September |
| Valencia Pride | Florida | Large, fiberless | July – August |
| Rapoza | Hawaii | Sweet and juicy | June – August |
| Nam Doc Mai | Thailand (grown in CA/FL) | Super sweet, aromatic | July – September |
| Manila | Mexico/CA | Sweet, yellow skin | August – October |
🌎 The Nam Doc Mai and Valencia Pride varieties are gaining popularity in U.S. farmers’ markets due to their superior taste and manageable size.
🐝 Climate and Blooming Cycles
Mangoes are sensitive to temperature drops below 40°F, so understanding the local microclimate helps determine your actual harvest time.
🌡️ Factors That Affect Harvest Timing:
- Early or late blooming (January vs. March)
- Rainfall during flowering
- Day length and sunlight intensity
- Variety-specific maturity time
✅ In warmer zones (10b, 11), early bloom = early harvest
❌ In colder edge zones (9b), blooming may delay harvest by 3–4 weeks.
🌾 Home Growers vs. Commercial Orchards
| Feature | Home Gardens | Commercial Orchards |
|---|---|---|
| Scale | 1–5 trees | 10 acres or more |
| Harvest Method | Manual, selective | Manual or mechanical |
| Purpose | Personal use | Retail, export |
| Preferred Varieties | Flavor-rich | Shelf-stable, uniform size |
🎯 If you’re a home grower in Florida or California, consider growing flavor-first varieties like Nam Doc Mai or Glenn.
🧪 Harvesting Mistakes to Avoid
- ❌ Harvesting too early: results in sour, rubbery texture
- ❌ Leaving overripe mangoes on tree: attracts pests like fruit flies
- ❌ Incorrect cutting: causes sap burn and bruising
- ❌ No record-keeping: makes tracking ripening windows harder next season
✅ Use harvest journals or apps to log bloom and harvest dates annually.
🔗 Valuable External Resources (Outbound Links)
- University of Florida IFAS Extension – Mango Growing Guide
- California Rare Fruit Growers – Mango Profile
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zones Map
These credible sources can enhance your article’s authority and SEO.
📊 Keyword Suggestions for Better SEO
Target high-CPC and long-tail keywords like:
- “When to harvest mangoes in Florida”
- “Best mango varieties for California”
- “How to tell if mango is ripe on tree”
- “US mango harvesting calendar”
- “Homegrown mango USA”
📝 Conclusion
Mango harvesting time in the USA varies by region, climate, and variety. For home gardeners in zones 9b–11, understanding these seasonal cues can help produce rich, juicy mangoes with peak flavor. Whether you’re growing a tree in Miami or experimenting in a California greenhouse, a well-timed harvest is the key to mango mastery.