Seed Availability

Seeds have limited viability and cannot be dried or stored for very long. We usually have fresh seeds available occasionally, on and off from May-September. A link to a store order page will appear here if seeds are available.

Seed Availability

Seeds have limited viability and cannot be dried or stored for very long. We usually have fresh seeds available occasionally, on and off from May-September. A link to a store order page will appear here if seeds are available.

Description

Small tree to 5m/15ft. Flowering and fruiting usually occurs in summer or after periods of heavy rainfall. Mature trees may bear anywhere from 100-3000 fruits.

Hardiness

Slow-growing and highly tropical, the mangosteen will not survive for long periods of time anywhere in the continental United States except extreme South Florida, unless under unusual conditions. Mature trees are killed below 40F and above 100F, seedlings are killed at 45F.

Growing Environment

Trees are highly sensitive to soil and alkalinity. Trees often do poorly in Florida not because of climate but because of salt spray, sandy soil, and high salt in the soil. Prefers humid conditions with over 100" of rain per year. Mangosteens can be planted near streams, ponds, or other bodies of water where portions of their root systems remain moist year-round. Heavy mulching is recommended in drier areas to retain soil moisture.

Propagation

Seeds have extremely short viability, only 1-5 days, and must be planted immediately upon removal from the fruit. Germination takes place in 2-3 weeks. Seedlings soon develop a long tap root which is vital to the survival of the tree so great care should be taken when transplanting. Other forms of propagation are usually unsuccessful. Fruiting takes from 6-12 years from seed.

Uses

The fruits are almost always eaten fresh as they are delicious without any alteration. Fresh mangosteen is canned but the flavor is considerably poorer to that of the fresh fruit.

Native Range

Native to the Malay peninsula. Cultivated in Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines. Has quickly spread across the tropics and is now cultivated in Hawaii and the Americas.

Additional Pictures

Related Species

Clusiaceae
	Clusia lanceolata Balsam Apple		Clusia rosea Autograph Tree
	Garcinia acuminata Sour Bacuri		Garcinia cochinchinensis False Mangosteen
	Garcinia gardneriana Bacupari		Garcinia hombroniana Seashore Mangosteen
	Garcinia intermedia Lemon Drop Mangosteen		Garcinia livingstonei Imbe
	Garcinia mangostana Mangosteen		Garcinia nervosa Mountain Garcinia
	Garcinia parvifolia Brunei Cherry		Garcinia praniana Button Mangosteen
	Garcinia spicata Garcinia spicata		Garcinia xanthochymus Gamboge
	Mammea americana Mamey Apple		Platonia insignis Bacuri
	Rheedia macrophylla Charichuela		Rheedia madruno Madrono