Sea Mango Plant Care

Sea Mango (Cerbera manghas) belongs to the Apocynaceae family within the Cerbera genus. Sea Mango is native to coastal areas in Africa, Asia, Australasia, and the Pacific islands. Sea Mango is also known as Pink Bird's Eye, Yellow Bird's Eye, Suicide Tree.

Sea Mango displays a small tree or shrub growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 4 ft. Sea Mango produces small white fragrant flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Sea Mango every 7–14 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Sea Mango thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Cerbera manghas tolerates temperatures of 65–85°F. Sea Mango prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Sea Mango to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Sea Mango every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Sea Mango is suited to USDA Zone 10b – 12b.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Sea Mango can spread to about 4 ft (1.2 m) and reach about 6 ft (2 m) tall. Space plants about 4 ft (1.2 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the tree spacing calculator.

Prune Sea Mango while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the tree in one year.

Sea Mango is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 10). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Sea Mango can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to yellow bird's eye plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Sea Mango is susceptible to aphids, scale insects, spider mites. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Sea Mango grows outdoors in USDA Zone 10b – 12b. It survives winters down to planting zone 10b. Sea Mango is native to coastal areas in Africa, Asia, Australasia, and the Pacific islands. In cooler regions, grow Sea Mango as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.