Information for Growing Lychee

Weather

• Lychee trees thrive best in regions with temperature variations as this produces optimal flower and fruit production. Areas with humid, warm summers and moderate winters with low rainfall are best for growth. Though mature trees are hardy to temperatures as low as 25 degrees F, younger trees are likely to be killed by even a light frost. Lychee trees can also be grown in large sized containers for the early period of their maturation.

Tree Description

• Slow growing, evergreen lychee trees have a dense growth with branches growing nearly to the ground and a mature height of up to 40 feet. The brittle limbs and trunk are smooth textured and gray in color. The pinnate foliage is divided into leaflets and is shiny and bright green in color. The small, yellowish green flowers appear in long clusters followed by the 1 to 1 ½ inch, round-to-oval, pink-to-red-colored, rough, leathery-skinned fruit. The inner flesh is fragrant, white and transcluent with a sweet taste.

Site

• Plant the lychee trees in areas of full sun with young trees protected from high wind, frost and excessive heat. Trees require a fertile, well-drained soil with a preferred pH ranging between 5.5 to 7.5. Mulch trees with an organic mulch material to help conserve moisture and keep weeds in check. Do not fertilize trees excessively as trees naturally have a slow growth rate when young. Fertilizer requirements increase once trees mature. Fertilizers formulated for acid loving plants are recommended for lychee. If you are growing them in alkaline soil, use chelated iron and iron sulfur.

Water

• Water the newly planted trees regularly for faster establishment. The lychee is moderately drought tolerant once established and is able to grow well just with rainwater. Stop watering mature trees during fall and winter and until bloom time as this encourages flowering in spring. Supplemental watering during fruit set and through harvesting improve yields and quality of fruit.