Litchi, Lychee, Lichee, Lichi, Leechee, Laichi, Lizhi, Litchi nut, Chinese cherry, Cerisier de Chine, Litchi de Chine, Litchia, Litchibaum, Quenepe chinois, Alupag, Mata-mata, Matamata, Litsiyas, Nephelium litchi, Nephelium chinensis, Scytalia litschi, Dimocarpus litchi, Euphoria didyma, Litchi sinense, Litchi philippinensis
Litchi chinensis, commonly known as lychee, is a tropical delight celebrated for its fragrant, juicy flesh and stunning pink-red shell. From luxurious lychee martinis to bouncy lychee jelly, this fruit brings elegance and refreshment to every bite or sip. Native to southern China and adored across Asia, the lychee has found fans worldwide for its sweet, floral flavor and exotic appeal.
The lychee fruit is about the size of a large grape or small plum and features a rough, leathery shell that ranges from bright pink to reddish-brown when ripe. Inside, the white, translucent flesh surrounds a large, glossy brown seed. This edible portion, known as the aril, is prized for its crisp texture and juicy, perfume-like sweetness.
Lychee belongs to the plant family Sapindaceae, commonly known as the soapberry family. This family also includes Maples (Acer spp.), Horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum), Goldenrain tree (Koelreuteria paniculata), Longan (Dimocarpus longan), ackee (blighia sapida), and Hopbush (Dodonaea viscosa).
Lychees are native to the subtropical provinces of southern China, especially Guangdong and Fujian, where they’ve been cultivated for over 2,000 years. The tree also thrives in similar climates across Southeast Asia, South Africa, and southern Florida.
The lychee tree is a slow-growing, evergreen species with dense, symmetrical foliage and a naturally rounded canopy. Although slow to establish, once mature, lychee trees are resilient and highly productive under the right conditions.
Lychee trees vary in size depending on climate and cultivation method. While they grow slowly—averaging 12 to 24 inches of vertical growth per year—they can live for over 100 years and remain productive for decades.
| Growing Conditions | Height | Spread | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tropical (ideal) | 30–50 ft (9–15 m) | 30–50 ft (9–15 m) | Can reach up to 100 ft (30 m) in rare cases |
| Subtropical (California, Florida) | 20–30 ft (6–9 m) | 20–30 ft (6–9 m) | Dense, rounded canopy, as wide as tall |
| Dwarf/Container Varieties | 8–10 ft (2.5–3 m) | 5–10 ft (1.5–3 m) | Emperor, Sweetheart, and similar compact cultivars |
The tree’s leaves are dark green, glossy, and composed of 4 to 8 leaflets arranged pinnately. New leaves emerge as a bronze-red flush, typically in spring and early summer. Flowers bloom in late winter to early spring in large, branching clusters. They are tiny, white to yellow-green, and aromatic—attracting bees and other pollinators essential for fruit set.
Lychee fruit is oval to heart-shaped, about 1 to 1.5 inches (2–4 cm) long. Its bumpy outer shell is easy to peel, revealing juicy flesh that’s sweet with a hint of acidity and floral undertones. Fruit typically ripens from late spring to midsummer, sometimes extending into late summer or early fall depending on the climate and variety. The best cultivars have small seeds and a high flesh-to-seed ratio, making them ideal for fresh eating or for use in lychee juice, lychee jelly, and lychee syrup. Tropical Fruits You Have Probably Never Heard of (But Should Try!)
Lychee trees are considered subtropical and are best suited for USDA hardiness zones 10–11. Young trees are highly frost-sensitive and must be protected during their first 3–5 years. Once established, mature trees can tolerate short exposures to temperatures as low as 26°F (-3°C), but extended cold or late frosts may still damage flowers or fruit. In marginal zones, planting in a sheltered microclimate or using frost cloth during cold snaps is recommended.
While the fruit is safe when ripe and eaten in moderation, consuming large quantities of unripe lychees—especially on an empty stomach—has been linked to hypoglycemia in undernourished children. The seeds are inedible and should be discarded.
Lychee trees are not invasive and do not pose a threat to native ecosystems in the regions where they are typically grown. They are slow-growing, do not spread aggressively, and require specific conditions to thrive, including warm temperatures and sufficient humidity. As such, they are well-suited for cultivated landscapes but are unlikely to naturalize or become weedy.
Don’t let its sweet, floral flavor fool you—lychee is more than just a tropical treat. This juicy fruit is low in fat, rich in water, and packed with vitamin C and antioxidants. It also provides small amounts of important minerals and polyphenols that support overall wellness.
Here’s what you get in 100 g of fresh lychee:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 66 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 16.5 g |
| Sugar | 15.2 g |
| Fiber | 1.3 g |
| Protein | 0.8 g |
| Fat | 0.4 g |
| Water | 82% |
| Vitamin C | 72 mg (79%–119% DV) |
| Potassium | 171 mg |
| Copper | 0.1–0.15 mg (Good source) |
| Other Nutrients | B6, folate, magnesium, calcium, iron (small amounts) |
| Glycemic Index | ~48 (moderate) |
| Cholesterol | 0 mg (cholesterol-free) |
| Sodium | 1 mg (very low) |
%DV = Percent Daily Value, based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
Lychee is not just refreshing—it’s also remarkably nourishing.
Eating fresh lychee is simple and rewarding. Start by gently squeezing the fruit or using your fingernail to pierce the leathery red skin near the stem. Peel off the outer shell to reveal the glossy, translucent flesh. Pop the fruit out and remove the single, inedible seed in the center. The juicy aril is now ready to eat!
Lychee has a flavor that’s often described as a mix of strawberry, watermelon, and rose with a hint of citrus. It’s juicy, floral, and sweet with just a touch of acidity. The texture is similar to a firm grape—crisp, yet tender and succulent. If you’ve never tried it before, one bite will tell you why this tropical fruit is so beloved across Asia and beyond.
| Variety | Description | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mauritius | Bright red skin, juicy white flesh with large seed | Early season, originally from China; well-suited to Florida; popular for commercial production |
| Hak Ip | Dark red skin, sweet, floral flavor with small “chicken tongue” seed | Mid to late season; southern Chinese origin; excellent for home growers due to high flesh-to-seed ratio |
| Brewster | Large fruit, firm texture, slightly tangy flavor | Mid to late season; one of the most successful cultivars in California; reliable and hardy |
| Sweet Cliff | Small fruit with burnt orange to red skin and small seed | Best in acidic soils; flavorful and ideal for backyard planting |
| Groff | Small, dull red fruit with firm flesh and small seed | Late season; developed in Hawaii; good for areas with cooler summers |
Lychee has a shallow root system and a high water demand. Keep soil consistently moist but not saturated, especially during hot or dry periods. Reduce watering 6–8 weeks before flowering to encourage bloom set, then gradually increase water once fruit forms to prevent drop.
Young lychee trees are sensitive to fertilizer burn. Avoid fertilizing during active flush growth and wait until the flush hardens. Mature trees are heavy feeders and benefit from regular applications of nitrogen-rich fertilizer, especially after harvest. Acid-forming fertilizers or chelates may help in alkaline soils prone to chlorosis.
Prune young trees lightly to encourage a dense, balanced canopy. Minimal pruning is needed once the tree is established, as fruit harvesting naturally removes branch tips and promotes new growth. In non-fruiting years, tip pruning may stimulate flowering for the next season. Girdling branches in the fall is sometimes used to improve flowering.
Dwarf lychee varieties can be grown in large containers (20+ gallons) in warm climates. Use a well-draining potting mix and place the container in a sunny, protected location. Regular watering, pruning, and monthly fertilization during the growing season are essential.
Lychee trees are typically self-fertile and produce three types of flowers—male, functionally male, and functionally female. Pollination is improved by insect activity, especially bees. Avoid pesticides during flowering to protect pollinators.
Lychee fruit is ready to harvest when the skin turns from green to bright pink-red and the fruit becomes plump and smooth. Harvest timing varies by climate and cultivar but typically occurs from late spring through mid-summer. Because lychees do not ripen after being picked, it’s important to harvest only when fully mature.
Lychees grow in large clusters and are best harvested with pruning shears or clippers to avoid damaging the fruit or tree. Cut the entire cluster with a few inches of stem attached. Avoid pulling or twisting, as this can tear branches or bruise the fruit. Since the tree canopy is dense, harvest is often done with pruning poles or by hand from the ground.
Growing lychee from seed is possible but not recommended for reliable fruit production. Seedlings are genetically variable and may take 8 to 10 years—or longer—to bear fruit, if at all. However, it can be a fun way to start a tree for ornamental purposes or experimentation. Use fresh seeds, plant them in well-draining soil, and keep them consistently warm and moist until germination.
Air layering is the most common and effective propagation method for lychee. It produces a genetically identical tree that can begin fruiting in as little as 3 to 5 years. For best results:
Grafting is used occasionally for commercial purposes but is difficult and has a low success rate with lychee. Approach grafting—where two plants grow side-by-side and are joined over time—is sometimes used as an alternative to air layering.
Lychee is not reliably propagated from cuttings. Rooting success is typically very low and not recommended for most growers.
Lychee trees can attract a variety of pests, particularly in warm, humid climates.
In the United States, the fruit is commonly known as “lychee,” spelled and pronounced the same as in other English-speaking countries.
Lychee can be pronounced either LEE-chee or LY-chee. Both pronunciations are widely accepted and used, depending on regional accents.
Yes, lychee can be grown in frost-free areas of the U.S., particularly in southern Florida, southern Texas, parts of California, and Hawaii.
Yes, lychee is typically eaten raw after peeling off the skin and removing the seed. The flesh is juicy, sweet, and aromatic.
Lychees have a sweet, floral flavor with notes reminiscent of grape, pear, and rosewater. They are known for their juicy and fragrant flesh.
Rambutan and longan are closely related tropical fruits with similar taste and texture to lychee.
Lychee trees can reach heights of 20–40 feet, and sometimes even taller in tropical climates.
Most lychee varieties are self-fertile, so a single tree can bear fruit. However, planting multiple trees may improve yields through cross-pollination.
Common reasons include the tree being too young, insufficient winter chill, improper watering, nutrient imbalances, or poor pollination.
Lychee trees are susceptible to erinose mite, aphids, scale insects, mealybugs, fruit-piercing moths, caterpillars, leaf-eating beetles, and fungal diseases like anthracnose and root rot.
Use neem oil, insecticidal soap, and regular pruning. Encourage beneficial insects and practice good orchard hygiene. For specific pests like mites or caterpillars, use targeted sprays as needed.
Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Increase watering during flowering, fruit set, and hot weather. Allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings.
For young trees, use a balanced or nitrogen-rich fertilizer. As trees mature, switch to fertilizers higher in potassium and phosphorus. Avoid fertilizing during active flushes.
Harvest lychees when the fruit is plump, smooth, and bright red or pink. Pick whole clusters with a bit of stem attached, as lychees do not ripen off the tree.
Air layering is the most common and reliable propagation method. Seed-grown trees are slow to bear fruit and may not produce high-quality fruit.
Yes, dwarf lychee varieties can be grown in large containers in warm, sunny locations. Regular watering, feeding, and pruning are necessary for success.
Popular varieties for home gardens include Mauritius, Hak Ip, Brewster, Sweetheart, and Emperor.
| Hardiness |
10 - 11 |
|---|---|
| Plant Type | Fruits, Trees |
| Plant Family | Sapindaceae |
| Common names | Lychee |
| Exposure | Full Sun |
| Season of Interest | Spring (Early, Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall |
| Height | 8' - 50' (240cm - 15.2m) |
| Spread | 5' - 50' (150cm - 15.2m) |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Water Needs | Average |
| Soil Type | Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Showy, Evergreen, Fruit & Berries |
| Attracts | Bees, Butterflies |
| Garden Uses | Beds And Borders, Patio And Containers |
| Garden Styles | Mediterranean Garden |
| Hardiness |
10 - 11 |
|---|---|
| Plant Type | Fruits, Trees |
| Plant Family | Sapindaceae |
| Common names | Lychee |
| Exposure | Full Sun |
| Season of Interest | Spring (Early, Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall |
| Height | 8' - 50' (240cm - 15.2m) |
| Spread | 5' - 50' (150cm - 15.2m) |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Water Needs | Average |
| Soil Type | Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Showy, Evergreen, Fruit & Berries |
| Attracts | Bees, Butterflies |
| Garden Uses | Beds And Borders, Patio And Containers |
| Garden Styles | Mediterranean Garden |
How many Litchi chinensis (Lychee) do I need for my garden?
| Plant | Quantity | |
|---|---|---|
| Litchi chinensis (Lychee) | N/A | Buy Plants |
Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.
Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
Join now and start creating your dream garden!
Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.
Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
Join now and start creating your dream garden!
