Lychee (Litchi chinensis) - Grafted - LIVE PLANT

Plant Insights and Care

Lychee (Grafted) (Litchi chinensis) is a highly prized subtropical fruit tree known for its sweet, fragrant, and juicy fruits. Grafted lychee trees are preferred for their earlier fruiting, consistent quality, and true-to-type characteristics, producing superior fruit compared to seed-grown trees.

The tree is evergreen with a dense, rounded canopy and can reach 6–10 meters in height. It performs best in warm, humid climates with distinct wet and dry seasons. In hot, arid environments such as the UAE, lychee trees can be successfully cultivated with careful irrigation management, mulching, and partial afternoon shade during peak summer.

Lychee requires well-draining, slightly acidic soil rich in organic matter, with an ideal pH of 5.5–6.5. Regular watering is essential, especially during flowering and fruiting, though standing water must be avoided. Deep watering helps encourage a strong root system. Apply a balanced fertilizer (NPK 10-10-10 or equivalent) during active growth and switch to a potassium-rich feed during flowering and fruiting.

Light annual pruning after harvest helps maintain shape and promotes airflow, which reduces fungal problems. Grafted lychee trees typically begin fruiting in 3–4 years, compared to 8–10 years for seed-grown trees.

Key Points:

• Origin: Southern China and Southeast Asia.

• Climate: Subtropical to tropical; needs warmth and humidity.

• Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade; protect from harsh afternoon heat.

• Watering: Deep, consistent watering; keep soil moist but well-drained.

• Soil: Fertile, loamy, slightly acidic soil (pH 5.5–6.5).

• Fertilization: Balanced fertilizer during growth; high potassium during fruiting.

• Pruning: Light pruning post-harvest to shape and thin the canopy.

• Growth Rate: Moderate; grafted trees fruit in 3–4 years.

Fruit Profile

The Lychee fruit is small and round (2.5–4 cm in diameter), with a bumpy pink-red rind that peels easily to reveal translucent white flesh. The flesh is juicy, sweet, and aromatic, with hints of rose and grape, enclosing a single smooth brown seed.

The fruit is rich in vitamin C, antioxidants, and minerals, making it both delicious and nutritious. Grafted varieties often produce larger, sweeter fruit with more consistent yields.

Dive into the facts:

• Taste: Sweet, floral, and juicy with a delicate rose-like aroma.

• Appearance: Red bumpy rind; translucent white flesh with a glossy brown seed.

• Fun Fact: Lychee trees flower profusely but only set fruit when exposed to a mild cool or dry period—replicating this seasonal cue with irrigation control can encourage more reliable fruiting in warm climates.