Rhizophora mangle
Photo: David GarzaCC BY 4.0
treeN. America Native

Red Mangrove

Rhizophora mangle

The Story

Plant Bio

Rhizophora mangle, commonly known as red mangrove, is an evergreen arborescent tree native to tropical coastal shorelines and estuarine intertidal zones. It is distinguished by a thick, arching network of stilt roots dropping from the trunk and lower branches to anchor the tree in shifting tidal sediments.

The thick, leathery, dark green leaves feature pale yellow-green undersides marked with minute dark dots. Small yellowish-green flowers yield torpedo-shaped viviparous propagules that germinate while still attached to the parent tree before dropping into the water to float.

Uses & Benefits:

Ornamental UsesCreates a distinct architectural silhouette with stilt roots and shiny evergreen foliage.
Practical UsesStabilizes coastal muddy sediments and prevents intertidal shoreline erosion.
Ecological BenefitsProvides vital nursery habitat, breeding cover, and food resources for coastal fish and estuarine wildlife.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Tree

Height

236"

Width

236"

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

10

Water

High (permanently saturated/flooded)

Humidity

High

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

Americas, West Tropical Africa

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Bloom period

Early summer – Year round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

In flower about 7 months of the year

Planting

How to Grow

  1. Select an intertidal site, pond margin, or saturated container where the root zone remains submerged in brackish or salt water.
  2. Plant propagules vertically with the lower third pushed firmly into wet mud, or transfer containerized trees keeping the soil line level with the surrounding sediment.
  3. Maintain full sun to light shade, ensuring the root environment remains constantly wet and protected from freezing drafts.
  4. Monitor water salinity and flow, avoiding total stagnant drying out or exposure to cold temperatures below freezing.

Pro Tip

Grow in permanently saturated brackish or saline soil; attempting to cultivate red mangrove in standard dry garden soil causes rapid decline.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

  • Keep the root zone permanently inundated or saturated with saline or brackish water.
  • Provide bright full sun to maintain dense canopy growth and strong root arching.
  • Protect young established stems from frost exposure.

Don't

  • Never prune into old, bare, leafless wood, as stems fail to regenerate from structural timber.
  • Do not allow the growing medium to dry out completely at any point.
  • Do not plant in dry terrestrial soils with standard garden drainage.

Seasonal Care Calendar

TaskJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Pest Check
Propagate
Prune
Winter Prep

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Coastal restoration and shoreline erosion controlEstuarine margins and tidal water featuresMarine aquarium setup or brackish wetland displays

Companion Plants

Conocarpus erectusAvicennia germinans Laguncularia racemosa Spartina alterniflora

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Red Mangrove questions

What zones can Red Mangrove grow in?

Red Mangrove is hardy in USDA Zone 10. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

When does Red Mangrove bloom?

Red Mangrove typically blooms in early summer through year round. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Red Mangrove need full sun?

Red Mangrove does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.

Keep exploring

Explore the genus

Hardy in your zone?

Grow Red Mangrove with confidence

See it in a design of your actual yard, get zone-matched care reminders, and track it season by season in your garden journal.

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