Mangosteen is best planted at the onset of the rainy season to acclimatise the plants in the field before the onset of the dry season. If late planting is unavoidable, prepare a basin around the tree and water regularly.

Before planting, condition the land and make it fit for the reception of the trees. In clearing, all tree stumps should be removed along with as many roots as possible. If a mangosteen orchard is to be established, land preparation follows the system for other fruit crops. Deep ripping is recommended if the soil is compacted. This consists of deep plowing once and twice, followed by several harrowings, until the desired soil tilth is attained. Stakes are set at a distance of 8-10 m corresponding to the recommended distance of planting for mangosteen. Holes are then dug at the positions occupied by the stakes where mangosteen seedlings are set and covered with soil.

A spacing of 10.7-12 m is generally recommended with holes (size 1.2 x l.2 x l.3 m) prepared at least 30 days in advance. However, the recommended spacing for mangosteen in Malaysia is 7 m x 7 m. But as practiced in Queensland, Australia minimum planting distances of 6 m in a row and 6-8 m between rows are generally used, giving a total of 280 trees per hectare. Trees are later thinned to 12 m in the row and 16 m between rows or hedgerow, leaving every second row.   Plant or tree density depends on the soil depth and quality, topography, the variety and irrigation as fruits are formed on the periphery of the trees.

The soil for filling the hole is enriched with organic matter and topsoil and left to weather. The top soil is mixed with 10 kg of organic manure and 0.5 kg of CIRP before filling the hole. Planting holes should be larger than the size of the plant containers in which the seedlings are nursed.

The seedlings are ready for field planting when they have reached a height of 30 - 50 cm tall or an age of 2 years. It is recommended that large planting material (LPM) of height 100.150 cm (or two- to three-year-old plants) be used for field establishment. Smaller seedlings shorter than 70 cm are not recommended for field planting, because growth may be severely stunted and field mortality may be very high.The young tree is put in place very carefully because mangosteen has a long delicate top root and poor lateral root system and given a heavy watering.

In areas where waterlogging or ponding may occur, mounding is recommended. A well drained soil ensures deep and extensive root development, provides good root aeration, and prevents waterlogging and disease occurrence such as root rot. If the soil is clayey and prone to waterlogging after heavy rainfall, the field must be provided with a good drainage system prior to planting. Primary drainage canals (80-100 cm wide and 50-100 cm deep) 100-120 m apart may be dug. Secondary drainage canals (50 cm deep and 25-30 m interval) may be dug between the rows of plants if necessary.

Shade must be provided immediately after planting, ensuring foliage is not exposed to full sunlight for any period. Mangosteen requires partial shading to reduce sunlight by 40 to 60% within the first three years of establishment, which is then gradually reduced to full exposure to obtain optimum growth. In areas with a pronounced dry season, it is a good practice always to grow mangosteen under partial shade. Shade with mixed stands of crops such as banana, cassava and papaya can be beneficial. Banana planted at a density of 1,200 per ha can readily provide 40.60% shade within four to six months after planting. Ideally, banana is planted 4-6 months ahead of mangosteen transplanting. Using banana as shade for mangosteen provides income or food from the 2 nd to the 4 th year of planting, before mangosteen bears fruit. Temporary shade can also be provided with coconut fronds or bamboo baskets while waiting for bananas to grow. Partial shading should be maintained for 3 to 5 years. The shade enclosure should be between 1.2 -2 m above ground level.