How to Grow a Mangrove Tree in Minecraft

Guide Java Bedrock

Quick answer: Plant a mangrove propagule on dirt, mud, clay or a moss block - on land or underwater - and wait or use bone meal. Propagules hang from mangrove leaves: bonemeal the leaves to grow one, and harvest it once fully grown.

What you need

1+ mangrove propagules from a mangrove swamp
Dirt, mud, clay or moss blocks to plant on
Bone meal (optional, to grow propagules and trees instantly)

Step by step

Find a mangrove swamp and look for propagules hanging under mangrove leaves. If none are grown, bonemeal the leaves to force one.
Wait until the hanging propagule is fully grown (4 stages) - only fully grown propagules drop as items. Breaking it early gives nothing.
Plant the propagule on any dirt variant (except dirt paths), mud, clay or a moss block. It is amphibious: it works planted underwater too.
Leave at least 6 empty blocks above it and room for the roots, which spread up to 5 blocks sideways and need solid ground within 11 blocks below (mud does not count as solid).
Wait like a normal sapling (you must stay nearby) or bonemeal the planted propagule to grow the tree instantly, even without light.
Harvest mangrove logs, roots and leaves - the tree also generates moss carpet on nearby mud. Each leaf bonemeal cycle gives more propagules for a full farm.

Java vs Bedrock

Identical in Java and Bedrock.

Versions: Mangrove trees and propagules arrived in 1.19 (The Wild Update) on both editions.

Frequently asked questions

Can I plant a hanging propagule directly on leaves?

No - a propagule hanging from leaves never grows into a tree. Pick it once fully grown and plant it on the ground (or underwater).

Why won't my mangrove tree grow?

Check the root room: the roots need a solid block (not mud) within an 11-block depth below and up to 5 blocks to the sides, plus 6 empty blocks above the propagule. Tight spots fail silently.