Vegetative growth is of essential importance for mango tree growth and fruit production. It shapes the tree structure, provides pathways for water and metabolites transport, supports leaves, inflorescences and fruits. It generates canopy growth and contributes to the increase of potential tree production. On the other hand, excessive vegetative growth may be detrimental to flowering and fruiting, to orchard yield and orchard intensification. Hence the importance of understanding the mechanisms of vegetative growth and the factors affecting it. Vegetative growth results from complex interactions between endogenous factors, environmental factors and cultivation practices. The base element of vegetative growth is the growth unit, a leafy axis originating from a bud in terminal position in the woody structure. The morphological, topological, temporal and reproductive characteristics of the growth unit affect its ability to produce descendent growth units and/or inflorescences and fruit. This results in marked interactions between vegetative growth and reproduction at different scales, from the growth unit to the whole tree, that are cultivar-dependent and contribute to irregular bearing. Temperature, light and water availability have an effect on vegetative growth by promoting bud burst and affecting the morphology of new growth units. In a given environment, the cultivar, the rootstock and pruning have the greatest impact on vegetative growth. The rootstock promotes or impedes tree growth from the first years after planting and its choice is crucial for orchard management. Pruning allows maintaining tree dimensions. It is a trigger of immediate vegetative growth in the mango tree and it must be used properly in order to favor, and not limit, fruit production. Fertilization and irrigation also stimulate vegetative growth. These different points and the interactions between them are presented, with a focus on the understanding of the underlying processes and the practica