Kent is a late-season mango prized for its rich, sweet, nearly fiberless flesh. It grows into a large, upright tree and is one of the most dependable mangoes for South Florida yards. (Mangifera indica 'Kent')
Shop this plant: Kent Mango Grafted / 3 Gal
Quick Care Summary
- Sun: Full sun, at least 8 hours a day.
- Soil: Well-drained soil is essential.
- Watering: Water newly planted trees 2-3 times a week for the first month, then weekly through the first year.
Sun
Full sun, at least 8 hours a day. Mangoes flower and fruit best in the hottest, brightest spot you have.
Soil
Well-drained soil is essential. South Florida's limestone, sandy and rocky soils all work if water never stands. Avoid low spots; plant on a slight mound in heavier soil. Mangoes tolerate alkaline soil well.
Watering
Water newly planted trees 2-3 times a week for the first month, then weekly through the first year. Established trees need little supplemental water except in long dry spells. Cut back watering from late fall through flowering (roughly Nov-Feb) to encourage bloom.
Fertilizer Schedule for South Florida
Young trees: a balanced fertilizer (such as 6-6-6 or 8-3-9 with minor elements) every 2 months from March through September, starting with a small handful and increasing as the tree grows. Mature trees: 2-3 applications a year (spring, early summer, late summer). Avoid heavy nitrogen in fall and winter, which pushes leaves instead of flowers. Add chelated iron and manganese if new leaves are pale on alkaline soil.
Pruning
Prune right after harvest (late summer) so the tree has time to set new flowering wood. Tip-prune young trees at about 3 ft to create 3-4 main branches. Keep mature trees at 12-15 ft by heading back the tallest limbs each year. Remove dead, crossing and inward-growing branches to open the canopy for airflow.
Cold Protection
Young trees are damaged below about 30°F; mature trees handle brief dips into the high 20s. Cover with frost cloth to the ground on freeze nights and water the soil the day before. Bring container trees into a garage or porch.
Container vs. In-Ground
Kent becomes a big tree and is best in the ground long term. It can live several years in a 15-25 gallon container with hard annual pruning, but fruit loads will be smaller. Use a fast-draining mix.
Spacing
Plant 20-25 ft from other large trees and at least 15 ft from buildings, septic and pools. With yearly size-control pruning you can go to 12-15 ft.
Flowering and Fruiting Timeline
Grafted trees often flower in their 2nd-3rd year in the ground. Blooms appear January-March; fruit ripens July-September, making Kent one of the later mangoes.
Harvest
Pick when the shoulders fill out, the skin color softens with yellow undertones and a few fruit begin to drop. Kent often stays mostly green when ripe, so go by feel: a slight give near the stem. Ripen picked fruit at room temperature for a few days.
Common Pests and Diseases
Start with organic, low-impact fixes: good airflow, clean-up of fallen fruit and leaves, and soaps or oils before anything stronger. Always follow label directions.
Anthracnose
How to identify: Black spots on flowers, leaves and fruit; blossoms turn black and drop in wet weather.
Organic-first treatment: Keep the canopy open with pruning, rake up fallen debris, and spray copper fungicide during bloom and early fruit set in rainy springs.
Powdery mildew
How to identify: White powdery coating on flower panicles and new leaves in cool, dry weather.
Organic-first treatment: Sulfur or potassium bicarbonate sprays at early bloom; good airflow.
Scale and mealybugs
How to identify: Small bumps or white cottony clusters on stems and leaf undersides, often with sticky honeydew and black sooty mold.
Organic-first treatment: Prune heavily infested twigs, spray horticultural oil or insecticidal soap, and control ants that farm them.
Mango seed weevil and fruit flies
How to identify: Damage inside fruit; soft spots or larvae.
Organic-first treatment: Pick up and destroy fallen fruit promptly; harvest on time.
FAQ
Is Kent self-pollinating? Yes. One tree will fruit on its own.
Why is my mango not flowering? Usually too much nitrogen or water in winter, too much shade, or the tree is still young.
Can I keep Kent small? Yes, with yearly pruning after harvest you can hold it around 12-15 ft.
Related Reading
- Best Mango Trees to Grow in Miami
- How to Plant a Grafted Mango Tree
- Why Too Much Fertilizer Can Hurt Your Fruit Tree
Ready to grow your own? Get the Kent Mango here.
