which is hardier, papaya or mango tree?

10 years ago

I have a papaya tree which I started from seed and planted into the ground for 3yrs already. Each winter, I covered it with black weed cloth. It is in the warmest spot in the backyard against the fence. Should I plant my mango tree next to it and treat it like the papaya?

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stanofh 10a Hayward,Ca S.F. bay area

10 years ago

They were very sweet Kyna. Its about 5'. Last year it was 3 fruits,this year it went up to nine. So,unlike Papaya that some say wont sweeten in the bay area,Mangoes sure will. And I have had two types- Baileys and Manila Mango fruit. I'm sure the Baileys fruits will also be larger as the plant gets to small tree stature.

Make sure its a hot spot...and fertilize every time it flushes. They love that.

They will fruit in containers. SO you and Greenman can expect even the extra's not planted in ground to do well. Just try not to be chintzy on the size of the pot as it grows.

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Comments (6)

stanofh 10a Hayward,Ca S.F. bay area
10 years ago
Where are you? If California then the Mango wins hands down.

I've had a Maridol Papaya one winter and two summers now here in the SF bay area. Its maybe a bit over 2'. Slow. But hardier then the Solo Hawaiian that's much faster growing- maybe yours?
Kyna Lim
Original Author
10 years ago
I'm in redwood city,ca. I think mine is store bought Mexican type. It's 5ft now. The stem is about 2-3 inches.
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stanofh 10a Hayward,Ca S.F. bay area
10 years ago
Congratulations. There aren't many of the tropical Papaya's growing in the bay area.

I would put the Mango in the hottest spot you have. Here,they need all the heat they can get. I have two in Hayward. One is in ground and has fruited for a couple of years now- after being put in the ground three years ago. It was already two years old by then.

The other Kyna is a seedling Champagne. I have that in a 2 gallon black pot in the driveway where it seems to get to 200f on a sunny summers day. It loves it.

There is a Mango tree in Fremont that you can stand under. So,they can be permanent plants. They can take a light frost as they get some size,but I would always cover a seedling if 32f is predicted.
Kyna Lim
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks for sharing the info Stan. Do you get lots of mango from it? And how does it taste compare to store bought? How big are the tree now? I just started my mango craze. I order a whole bunch from planto and topt... I can't wait to get my first mango fruit from my backyard. I have no valuable assets, the mango trees would be the most expansive asset I own.
greenman62
10 years ago
mango is definitely hardier.

i have 5 types of papaya (at least 20 plants) and a dozen mango (most seedlings, but, a couple are 5ft tall)

i built a greenhouse last winter, before it was finished, we had 28F temps. it killed most of my papaya except a couple that were next to the house and well protected.

the 4ft mango (container) didnt flinch... no leaf loss, nothing but a couple of leaves had burned edges. it did kill a seedling mango i put in the ground as a test. that was basically expected though.

i dont know what that means as far as fruit, i havent gotten that far with them.

the fence, other plants, pool and concrete will all help hold warmth

from the daytime temps, and release heat at night