Ah, the magnificent Lychee tree. This tropical fruit is close to my heart. It was one of the tropical/foreign fruits that I tried as a child. I remember seeing the small red and bumpy balls in the refrigerator sections of the supermarket. And when I picked it up, it felt like sandpaper, hard to the touch and rough! I remember thinking “What on earth is this?”. But the flavor! Once I had broken into the tough exterior to find the white juicy flesh that smelt like flowers and tasted like nothing I had ever tried before. Fast forward to today, and I’ve eaten lychees in loads of different ways, from smoothies and cocktails to Halloween treats that look like zombie eyeballs! This magnificent tropical tree certainly deserves a spot in your garden, so here is a breakdown of how to care for it.
| Common Names | Lychee Tree |
| Scientific Name | Litchi chinensis |
| Sunlight | Full |
| Soil | Well-draining |
| Soil pH | 5.0-7.0 |
| Max Height/Length | 40 ft (12m) |
| Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Fruiting Time | Spring-Early Summer |
| Fruit Color | Pinkish-red |
| Hardiness | Sensitiveto Cold |
| Climate | Tropical and Subtropical |
| Native Country | Southern China |
| Toxicity | Seeds are Toxic to Humans and Animals |
| Maintenance | Low to Moderate, Pruning Neccesary |
| Lifespan | Decades |
| Common Pests | Fruit Flies, Scale Insects, Aphids, Mites |
| Propagation | Seeds, Grafting, Rootstock |
LIGHT
Like many tropical fruit trees, the lychee tree does require a decent amount of sunlight each day. I find that a minimum of six hours of direct sunlight is sufficient for healthy growth of the lychee tree. Should your lychee tree receive insufficient light growth may be slowed or stunted and fruiting may be prolonged. Ensuring sufficient light will result in a healthy happy plant that bears beautiful fruit.
WATER
I have found that when a lychee tree is in its early stages of growth, it does require more consistent watering. This allows its root system to become established and develop its first set of new growth. In my experience, once a tree has matured, its ability to tolerate longer dry periods increases. I would suggest though, that even once your lychee tree matures, you maintain consistent watering, especially during warmer months. During flowering and fruiting periods, I recommend deep waters to ensure the water reaches the roots and the surrounding soil is dampened. Do try not to go over the top with watering as lychee trees do not like to be waterlogged. This can also be prevented by adequate soil conditions.
SOIL
As I mentioned previously, lychee trees do not like wet feet. Therefore, well-draining soil with lots of organic matter is best suited to a lychee tree. I have found that loamy soil or sandy loam can work very well for lychee trees and with slightly acidic soil your lychee tree can thrive. I always maintain a pH level of around 5.0 and 7.0 for optimal growth. This allows your lychee tree to absorb nutrients and keeps its roots happy.
The lychee tree really is a magnificent tropical fruit tree that is relatively easy to grow. And when you get a taste of the sweet juicy fruit, you’ll understand that the wait was worth it! Happy growing folks.