How to Plant, Grow, and Care for Lychee Trees

Lychee trees are a wonderful tropical addition to gardens in warm climates. Their sweet fruits are the perfect summer treat and the lush green leaves add ornamental value for the rest of the year. Gardening expert Madison Moulton explains everything you need to know to grow and care for lychees in this guide.

Dense clusters of bright red, textured fruits dangle from spreading lychee branches with glossy, pointed green leaves growing in a sunny garden.

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I have a long list of fruit and nut trees in my garden. Macadamias, avocados, bananas, mangoes—I could go on. But one of my favorite trees (and certainly the favorite of anyone who visits my garden) is the lychee.

Where I’m from, lychees (or litchis) are a summer staple. There’s nothing better than grabbing a bowl of them and peeling the red skin to reveal the tasty fruit underneath. And since they can be quite pricey, growing my own has saved me a lot of money over the years.

As tropical fruits, lychees are largely reserved for gardeners in zones 10 to 11 (or 9 at a push). As they can be quite particular about their environment, it’s best to stick to their requirements as best as you can if you want masses of fruits.

In the right location, lychees aren’t too difficult to care for. Follow the tips in this guide, and you’ll have a tropical fruit paradise in no time (or, more accurately, in three to five years).

Lychee Tree Overview

A canopy of vibrant green foliage covers the spreading branches, adorned with clusters of round, bumpy red fruits.
Plant type Tree
Family Sapindaceae
Genus Litchi
Species Litchi chinensis
Native Area China
Exposure Full sun
Height 40ft
Watering Requirements Moderate
Pests & Diseases Weevils, mites, anthracnose, scale
Maintenance Moderate
Soil Type Slightly acidic, well-draining
Hardiness Zone 10-11

What Are Lychee Trees?

Lush, large trees with glossy, lance-shaped leaves on slender branches hold clusters of rough-skinned red fruits.
Enjoy a unique fruit and beautiful evergreen canopy year-round.

Lychees are delicious tropical fruits from the tree Litchi chinensis. Although they aren’t as widely grown as some other tropical fruits (mangoes come to mind), their unique flavor makes them worth growing. They also aren’t the most common fruit to find fresh in stores, so if you love lychees, it’s easier (and far more budget-friendly) to grow your own.

Lychee trees produce small, round fruits with rough red skin. Once you peel the skin back, you’ll find the delicious white or translucent flesh surrounded by a large seed in the center. The flavor is hard to describe, but it’s a kind of combination of sweet and floral, the perfect treat for summer.

The fruits are only around for a short period, so what is there to enjoy for the rest of the year? Lychees have a lush and evergreen canopy with a tropical look that adds impressive ornamental value. The flowers may not look like much, but the glossy green leaves are a feature on their own.

There are a few varieties to choose from, but ‘Mauritius’ and ‘Brewster’ are the most common.

Characteristics

Spreading branches support clusters of round, bumpy green-red fruits framed by lush, shiny green leaves.
A single tree provides plenty of fruit with time.

Lychee trees can reach impressive heights of 40 feet or more in the right conditions. Thankfully, they respond well to pruning if you’re short on space or want to keep the tree at a more manageable size. You only need one to produce fruit too, so you don’t have to worry about finding space for two large trees.

These trees, like many other fruit trees, unfortunately, do take their time to produce fruit. If you purchase one from a nursery, you’ll be waiting around 3 to 5 years for your first fruits. Starting from seed may require a decade (or more) of patience.

In late spring, lychee trees produce clusters of greenish-white flowers that attract masses of pollinators like bees. In spring, my lychee tree is the most popular plant in my garden for bees, drawing so many that you can hear their buzz from inside the house.  

They are considered self-fertile—I only have one tree and enjoy more fruit than I know what to do with each year. But having more than one can potentially boost the fruit set and quality.

Native Area

Two young trees with lush, leathery green leaves produce clusters of bright red, rough-skinned fruits.
Grow them in warm zones, or shelter during frost.

These tropical fruit trees are native to southern China. They’re happiest in warm, humid climates with mild, dry winters and hot, rainy summers. They don’t perform well in coastal areas close to sea level.

Lychees thrive in USDA zones 10 and 11, but those in zone 9 can still grow them paying a little more attention to cold snaps. If you live in an area where frost is common, consider planting in containers so you can move your tree indoors or to a sheltered spot like a greenhouse when temperatures drop.

Planting

Close-up of a young tree seedling with glossy green, lance-shaped leaves adorned with raindrops in a spring garden.
Plant in early spring for the best tree start.

Early spring is typically the best time to plant lychee trees. In warmer regions with mild winters, you can get away with planting a bit earlier to help them establish faster, but it’s always a good idea to keep a close eye on the forecast. You won’t be getting fruit in the first year anyway, so focus on a strong start instead.

Find a location with at least six hours of sunlight daily. The soil should be well-draining, so avoid low-lying spots where water tends to pool. If your soil is heavy, work in plenty of organic matter before planting to improve drainage.

If you’re planting from a nursery-grown tree, dig a hole that’s a little larger than the current bag or container. Gently remove the tree and place it in the hole so that it sits at the same level as in the container. Fill in the gaps with soil, firm it down gently, and water thoroughly to help the roots settle in. A layer of organic mulch around the base will also help keep moisture in (just don’t let it sit directly against the trunk).

Starting from seed takes a little extra effort and a lot more patience. You also won’t get the same type of tree you planted from, so it’s fun for experimentation, but not reliability. Plant your seeds as soon as possible after removing them from the fruit. Soak overnight and sow the seeds about an inch deep in a well-draining soil mix and keep the soil moist.

Apply consistent warmth and plenty of bright light. You’ll hopefully see a sprout in a few weeks. But if a quicker harvest and reliability is your goal, I recommend choosing a nursery-grown tree instead.

How to Grow

Lychees are not difficult to care for once established, but they aren’t the most beginner-friendly fruit trees either. Try to match their preferred environment as much as you can by following these steps.

Light

Rounded red fruits with textured rinds hang in bunches beneath glossy green leaves on arching branches in a sunny garden.
Ensure six hours of sunlight for healthy tree growth.

Lychee trees need full sun for maximum fruit. When you first plant your tree, pick a location that gets at least six hours of direct sunlight daily.

If your young tree seems a bit sensitive to intense afternoon sun (especially in very hot regions), you can install temporary light shade during peak afternoon heat. As the tree matures and becomes more resilient, it will handle longer stretches of bright sunlight without stress.

If you’re growing your lychee in a container, rotate it occasionally so all sides get enough sunshine. While you can keep them indoors in front of a sunny south-facing window, they won’t grow particularly well or produce fruits. It’s better to keep potted lychees outside in maximum sun and move them in winter if needed.

Water

Graceful branches with glossy, lance-shaped leaves support clusters of vibrant red fruits with textured rinds covered with raindrops.
Deep watering encourages strong roots and healthy tree growth.

After planting, consistent watering is essential to help your tree develop a strong root system. Water deeply to push the roots to grow downwards into the soil and allow the top inch or two of soil to dry slightly before watering again.

Overwatering can lead to root rot, especially early on. Aim to keep the soil moist, not soggy. After the first year or two, your tree will be more tolerant of occasional dry spells, but don’t let it dry out for too long.

During the fruiting season, keep a close eye on moisture levels. Inconsistent moisture can cause the fruits to split or dry up. Manage your watering schedule in line with the rain forecast to protect your harvest.

Soil

Close-up of a woman's hand pouring water over a small seedling with oval green leaves growing in moist, dark brown soil in a garden.
Amend clay soil with compost to improve root drainage.

Lychees need well-draining, slightly acidic soil with a pH of around 5.0 to 6.5. They don’t grow well in alkaline soil or heavy clay.

When planting a young tree, amend clay soil with compost to improve drainage. Make sure you amend the larger planting area, not just around the hole, as you want the roots to spread outwards. Sandy loam soils are ideal for a balance of nutrients and drainage, but as long as water can flow away from the roots quickly and the soil is not too alkaline, the tree should be happy.

If you’re growing in containers, choose a high-quality potting mix for acid-loving plants. As your lychee tree matures, continue adding organic matter to the soil each spring to maintain soil health.

Temperature and Humidity

Arching branches hold clusters of bumpy red fruits surrounded by dense green foliage.
Protect newly planted trees from cold snaps for survival.

As tropical trees, warmth and moderate humidity are essential when growing lychees. Newly planted trees are especially vulnerable to cold snaps, so protect them if temperatures dip too low.

If you’re in zones 10 and 11, you probably won’t have any trouble. But in zone 9 (or lower), container planting is a better option. Move your tree indoors or to a greenhouse during frosty weather. Mature trees are more forgiving of slight temperature fluctuations but still need protection from prolonged cold.

Fertilizing

Close-up of a man's hands holding blue granular fertilizers over a white bag with a lush green garden in the background.
Switch to fruiting fertilizer as your tree matures.

During the first couple of years, focus on building strong roots. In early spring, apply a slow-release fertilizer for fruit trees. As your tree ages (around three to five years old and up), switch to a fertilizer that supports flowering and fruiting, in other words, one with a bit more phosphorus and potassium.

Container-grown lychees require smaller, more frequent doses of fertilizer to replace what’s lost through watering. This is even more important if you want your tree to produce fruit. Top up with compost and feed with a liquid fertilizer throughout spring and summer, slowing feeding during the cooler months to give the roots a break.

Overall, feed with either organic fertilizer or compost every 8 weeks during the growing season.

Maintenance

A row of pruned trees with thick light gray trunks and branches adorned with glossy lance-shaped leaves in green and pinkish-red hues under bright sunlight.
Prune dead branches early for healthy, strong growth.

During the first year or two, remove any dead or damaged branches to keep air moving through the branches and create the shape you want. Once your lychee is established, a light annual prune in late winter or early spring helps maintain shape and encourage healthy new growth. I mostly remove the lower hanging branches growing downwards, leaving the top to grow as is.

If you live in an area with high winds, plant in a protected area or install some wind protection, especially soon after planting. Once established, wind is less of a concern, but you will be cleaning plenty of fallen branches and leaves if you’ve planted in a high-wind area.

Harvesting

Male hands harvesting red-skinned fruits with textured surfaces against a blurred background.
Wait for the perfect color before harvesting for sweet results.

Most lychee varieties reach their peak in mid to late summer, but exactly when yours will be ready depends on your local climate and growing conditions. Fruiting can also be a little erratic. One year I had tons of fruits from early summer to mid-summer, but last year there were only a few clusters that ripened in late summer.

When the fruits are ripe, they will turn red or pinkish-red. The skin will give slightly when pressed. Don’t pick prematurely—wait until they’ve fully colored before picking.

When it’s time to harvest, remove the entire fruit cluster at once. Leave a small piece of stem attached to each lychee to protect both the tree and the fruit. Pulling or twisting the fruit off by hand can cause damage.

Handle the fruits gently. Although the outside skin is tough, it can be more delicate than you expect.

Storage

Clusters of vibrant red fruits in a clear plastic bag.
Keep them fresh a week, or freeze for months.

My favorite way to eat lychees is straight from the tree, especially on a hot summer day. But you’ll likely harvest more than you can eat at once, and there are a few ways to stretch out that tropical flavor.

For short-term storage, place unpeeled fruits in a breathable container or plastic bag in the refrigerator. They’ll stay fresh for about a week.

For long-term storage, freezing is best. While you can freeze them whole, it’s easier to peel them first, as they’ll defrost better. Peel the rind, remove the pit, and lay the lychee flesh in a single layer on a lined baking sheet. Once they’re firm, transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag.

Common Problems

Once established, lychees are pretty tough, but they’re not invincible. Pests are the most common concern, but there are a few other issues to look out for.

Fruiting Issues

Slender branches with glossy, elongated leaves hold clusters of pale yellow-white flowers in full bloom, attracting bees for pollination.
Encourage bees and adjust feeding for better fruit production.

It can be frustrating to watch your lychee tree grow healthy leaves but produce little to no fruit. A common cause is insufficient pollination, and for that, you need the help of bees. Planting another tree can also help.

High-nitrogen fertilizers also encourage leafy growth at the expense of flowers. Watch your feeding regimen once the tree is ready to fruit to avoid causing any imbalances.

Fruit splitting is a major challenge. This is caused by long dry spells followed by sudden heavy rains. The fruits swell too quickly and split. Unfortunately, it’s often out of your hands, but watching the soil moisture closely can limit your risk.

Pests

Close-up of a broad-nosed weevil with a distinctive long snout and dark body, resting on a green leaf.
Check for chewing damage to spot weevil infestations early.

Mite pests can cause fuzzy patches and discoloration on the undersides of leaves, leading to leaf distortion and slow growth. Neem oil or insecticidal soap sprays can help manage these mites if applied early. Scale is another insect that you can treat with insecticidal soap.

Weevils are another culprit, tunneling into the fruit or stems and impacting yields. Clean up fallen fruits and leaves to discourage these pests from settling in. Keep an eye out for any signs of chewing damage or small holes, and consider using organic pest control methods or traps if you see evidence of an infestation.

Diseases

Close-up of a green leaf showing brown, sunken lesions with irregular borders, caused by anthracnose.
Use a copper fungicide to control anthracnose on your tree.

Anthracnose is one of the most common fungal infections affecting lychee trees. Dark spots appear on leaves, flowers, or fruits, potentially causing fruit drop or reduced yields. To combat anthracnose, ensure your tree has plenty of airflow by pruning away crowded branches. Copper fungicide can also help control the spread.

Root rot is another concern early on, occurring when the tree is overwatered or planted in poorly draining soil. Affected trees display yellowing leaves, wilting, or stunted growth. To avoid root rot, make sure your soil drains well. If your area receives heavy rainfall, choose your location carefully or consider planting in containers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you grow lychee trees indoors?

You can, but it’s not recommended. They won’t fruit or grow particularly well in indoor environments. It’s better to plant in containers and leave them outside for most of the year, bringing them inside for protection only when you have to.

When do lychees produce fruit?

After several years, your lychee will produce fruit in summer. The exact time will depend on your climate and environmental conditions.

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