TheNaturePlanet

Who hasn’t tried growing green plants from a mango pit yet! As someone who went from a "plant killer" to a "green plant pro," I sincerely recommend to all newbie plant lovers: Want to get into gardening? Starting with a mango pit is a must! It’s zero-cost, easy to care for, and watching it grow from a hard pit to lush green leaves is incredibly satisfying. This little sapling provides daily emotional value—you’ll be hooked!

After sharing my mango pit planting tips earlier, the comment section was flooded with questions: "Do small Taiwan mangoes have seeds?" "Why are my leaves big but not green at all?" "My mango pit has tons of roots but no sprouts—Is that normal?" "How many days does it take to sprout? I’ve been waiting almost two weeks with no movement!" Today, I’ll answer these common questions once and for all. Newbies, grab your notebooks—avoid these pitfalls, and your mango seedling will thrive!


### Q1: Do small Taiwan mangoes have seeds? I just bought two to try!

Answer: Absolutely! But it depends on "luck"～ Even though small Taiwan mangoes are tiny, most have seeds. However, some varieties have thin, underdeveloped seeds (like the extra-sweet ones with tiny pits), so their germination rate might be lower.

Selection tip: When buying small Taiwan mangoes, pick ones with plump flesh and a round, firm pit (avoid flat ones when squeezed). After eating, clean the pit and cut it open like a regular mango pit to check the seed—if it’s plump, white, and intact, go for it! I’ve grown seedlings from small Taiwan mango pits before; they sprouted a couple of days later than usual, but still grew into lush little plants～


### Q2: Why are my leaves big but not green at all? They’re yellow and lifeless!

Answer: It’s most likely "nutrient deficiency" or "insufficient light"! Yellow, weak leaves are usually caused by these two issues:

- **Prolonged hydroponics without nutrients**: Once the mango seedling matures (after about a month), plain water isn’t enough! Leaves will turn yellow from nitrogen deficiency, lacking luster even if they’re large (my seedling went through this too—switching to soil made it green instantly～).

- **Lack of light**: Mangoes are tropical fruits, and seedlings *love* sunlight! If kept in a dark corner long-term, leaves will grow pale, thin, and weak.

**Fixes**:
1. Switch to soil immediately! Use loose nutrient soil (add a little腐熟 organic fertilizer), and place the pot in a sunny spot.
2. For hydroponics, occasionally add 1-2 drops of diluted nutrient solution (don’t overdo it—you’ll burn the roots!). Leaves will turn green quickly～


### Q3: My mango pit has lots of roots but no sprouts—Is that normal?

Answer: Don’t rush! The roots might be "working hard in secret"～ Mangoes germinate by growing roots first, then sprouts. Some seeds focus on growing roots first, using their energy to establish a root system, so sprouts come a few days later—it’s totally normal!

**Don’t make this mistake**: Never cut the roots just because you don’t see sprouts, and don’t peek under the wet paper towel frequently (you’ll ruin the humidity!). As long as the roots are white, plump, and not black or smelly, be patient～

**Sprouting hack**: If roots are long but no sprouts, take the seed out of the wet paper towel, rest it on water as before (let roots soak, keep the top exposed), and give it a little "light pressure"—sprouts will pop up soon!


### Q4: How many days does it take to sprout? I’ve waited almost two weeks with no movement!

Answer: Typically 7-15 days—don’t panic if it’s slower～ Germination speed depends on temperature and seed vitality: It’s fastest at 25-30℃ (roots in about a week); below 20℃, it might take 2-3 weeks.

**Speed-up tips**: Don’t put the sealed bag in a cold spot (like near an AC vent)—keep it by a warm windowsill (no direct暴晒!). Open the bag for 1 minute daily to ventilate, and keep the paper towel slightly moist (no standing water). Seeds "wake up" faster in a comfortable environment!


### 【Foolproof hydroponic steps—even clumsy beginners can follow!】

1. First, clean the mango pit thoroughly, rinsing off all leftover flesh. Let it air-dry in a ventilated place overnight.

2. The next day, gently cut the dried pit from the side, then peel off the thin brown outer skin of the seed.

3. Take a clean paper towel or kitchen tissue, wrap the seed, spray it to moisten, then put it in a sealed bag. Place it in a warm spot and wait.

4. Check the bag every 2-3 days—if it smells damp, replace the paper towel immediately. Keeping it fresh is key!

5. In about a week, tiny white roots will pop out from the top of the seed. Don’t rush to soak it yet—wait until roots are longer and you can tell roots from sprouts (to avoid planting it upside down!).

6. When roots reach 3-5cm, find a cute small cup, rest the seed on the rim so roots just touch the water, and the body stays exposed.

7. Now comes the fun part—observe! Water it daily, watch roots grow denser in the water, and soon a tiny green sprout will pop up, unfurling into leaves～

After about a month, you’ll notice plain water isn’t enough anymore—leaves may yellow. Time to switch to soil! Grab a nice pot, fill it with nutrient soil, carefully transplant the seedling, water thoroughly, and place it by a window with scattered light～


### Final hydroponic key points!

1. Clean the pit *thoroughly*—leftover flesh will mold and rot, ruining germination.
2. Be gentle peeling the seed’s outer skin! If it’s tight, soak in warm water first to avoid damaging the seed.
3. Wait until roots are over 3cm before soaking—otherwise, you might mix up roots and sprouts and plant it backwards!

Watching a hard mango pit turn into a leafy green plant is truly rewarding—give it a try!