Lychee

Litchi

Plant family

Soapberry family (Sapindaceae)

Cultivation Break

5 Years

Season Overview

Propagating

Planting

Harvest

J

F

M

A

M

J

A

S

O

N

D

1ST YEAR

FROM YEAR 10

Details

Light requirement

Sunny

Water requirement

Wet

Soil

Medium (loamy)

Nutrient requirement

Medium

Dark germinator

Germination temperature

25 - 30 °C (Degrees Celsius)

Plant distance

300 cm

Row spacing

600 cm

Seeding depth

3 cm

Instructions

Description

The lychee, also called lychee or litchi, originally comes from southern China and Southeast Asia. It is an evergreen tree with decorative, glossy foliage. The pinkish-red to red, spiky fruits contain a juicy, sweet-and-tart seed that is eaten raw or processed into juice, compote, or canned goods. In tropical and subtropical regions, the lychee is commercially grown; in Central European latitudes, it can only be grown in a greenhouse or container.

Growing tips

Frost-sensitive - only overwinter indoors or in a greenhouse (>10 °C) Place outside in summer (south-facing balcony, terrace) Keep in very bright light in winter (e.g. conservatory) Young plants need patience - fruiting only from the 5th-8th year Regular repotting promotes growth Good drainage (e.g. expanded clay) in the bottom of the pot is essential