Philippine Mango

Philippine Mango: A Delicious, Early-Ripening Mango for California Gardens

The Philippine mango (Carabao) is a highly sought-after mango variety known for its exceptional sweetness, smooth texture, and early ripening season. Popular among home gardeners and tropical fruit enthusiasts, this variety thrives in California’s warm microclimates and produces flavorful, fiberless fruit that rivals the best in the world.


🌳 Tree Size and Growth Habit

The Philippine mango tree is a medium-sized, moderately vigorous grower with a naturally upright and slightly spreading canopy. Its manageable size makes it ideal for backyard orchards, container growing, or smaller garden spaces. With routine pruning, it can be kept at 10–15 feet for easier maintenance and harvesting.


🥭 Fruit Size and Color Characteristics

This variety produces elongated, slender fruits typically weighing 6–10 ounces each. The skin matures to a golden yellow hue, sometimes developing a soft pink blush when exposed to full sun. Inside, the flesh is a deep yellow and completely fiberless, making it a premium choice for fresh consumption.


🌟 Flavor Profile

The Philippine mango is best known for its intensely sweet, floral, and slightly tangy flavor. The fruit is smooth and silky with no stringy fibers, making it a favorite for slicing, juicing, or blending into tropical desserts and smoothies. Its flavor is often compared to top-tier mango varieties, with many considering it among the most delicious fiberless mangoes available.


📅 Harvest Season in California

In California, the Philippine mango ripens early, with the harvest typically beginning in late June and continuing through July. Its early-season maturity makes it one of the first mango varieties to fruit each year, a valuable trait for gardeners eager to enjoy homegrown mangoes before peak summer heat.


🌱 Why Choose the Philippine Mango for Your Garden?

  • Early ripening—enjoy mangoes sooner than most varieties
  • Fiberless texture—smooth, juicy flesh without stringiness
  • Compact and manageable tree size—ideal for small spaces and containers
  • High heat tolerance—well-adapted to Southern California’s climate
  • Exceptional flavor—sweet, floral, and tropical profile perfect for fresh eating

📝 Summary

Whether you’re a seasoned fruit grower or just starting your edible landscape, the Philippine mango offers a rewarding combination of early harvest, compact growth, and irresistible flavor. It’s a standout choice for anyone looking to grow tropical fruit successfully in California.

 

Philippine Details  
Growth Habit Upright, slightly spreading canopy
Growth Rate Moderate
Fruit Color  Golden yellow
Tree Size 10 – 15 ft. tall and wide
Fruit Season Early to Mis-season (June – July)
Flavor Intensely sweet, floral, and slightly tangy
Fruit Weight 6 -10 oz.
Water Needs Low to regular water (depending on drainage)
Light Needs Full sun
Soil Requirements Well drained
USDA Zone 10 – 11