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Lychee: Growing the Tropical Fruit Tree
Tropical

Lychee: Growing the Tropical Fruit Tree

Litchi chinensis

Lychee care (Litchi chinensis): subtropical tree with sweet, fragrant fruit. Full sun, acidic well-drained soil, frost-tender, slow-growing.

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Characteristics

Scientific nameLitchi chinensis
Height8-15 m
Sunlightpieno sole
Watermedia
Soilacido drenante
Toxicitynon tossica
Growthlenta
Temperature10 a 35 °C
FloweringFeb, Mar, Apr
IrrigationWater regularly during growth and fruiting to keep the soil moist; reduce in winter without letting it dry out completely.

Lychee (Litchi chinensis) is a subtropical evergreen tree from China, grown for its fruit with bumpy red skin and sweet, fragrant white flesh. It wants full sun, acidic, well-drained soil and warm, humid summers. It grows slowly to 8-15 metres. It is frost-tender, though mature trees tolerate brief light frost.

Flowering season

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Practical tips

Watering

Water needs: media — always check soil moisture before watering.

Position

Prefers pieno sole: provide the right light and rotate the plant for even growth.

Substrate

Recommended soil: acido drenante. Refresh the substrate every 1-2 years.

Leaves

Dust the leaves with a damp cloth to support photosynthesis.

Feeding

Feed during the growing season (spring-summer) and stop in winter.

FAQ

How long does lychee take to fruit?
From seed it takes 8-15 years with uncertain results; a grafted tree fruits in 3-5 years and is the recommended route for reliable harvests.
Why won't my lychee flower?
Often for lack of a cool winter spell: it needs a few cool (but not hard-freezing) weeks to trigger flowering in spring.

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