How to grow Longan

Longan grow and care – tree of the genus Dimocarpus and also known as Dimocarpus longan, Longan perennial evergreen plant, grow for the edible fruits but also used as ornamental plant, can grow as shade tree or dwarf in a container, can grow in tropic, mediterranean or subtropical climate and growing in hardiness zone 9+.

Popular Longan Species & Gardening Supplies

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Longan Live Plant, Indoor Outdoor Fruit Tree, 8-10 Inch Tall, 4 Inch Pot
Longan Live Plant, Indoor Outdoor Fruit Tree, 8-10 Inch Tall, 4 InchCheck Price on Amazon
Longan Tree Plant Live, Well-Rooted Fruit Tree, 8-10 Inch Tall, 4 Inch Pot
Longan Tree Plant Live, Well-Rooted Fruit Tree, 8-10 Inch Tall, 4 InchCheck Price on Amazon
Longan Seeds, 20 Count
Longan Seeds, 20 CountCheck Price on Amazon
Longan Live Plant, Tropical Fruit Tree, 6-8 Inch Tall, 4 Inch Pot
Longan Live Plant, Tropical Fruit Tree, 6-8 Inch Tall, 4 Inch PotCheck Price on Amazon
Grafted Longan (Dimocarpus Longan.) Dragon Eye Live Fruit Tree 2-3ft
Grafted Longan (Dimocarpus Longan.) Dragon Eye Live Fruit Tree 2-3ftCheck Price on Amazon
9EzTropical - Kohala Longan - Air Layer Tree - 2 Feet Tall
9EzTropical - Kohala Longan - Air Layer Tree - 2 Feet TallCheck Price on Amazon

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Leaves color green when the leaves young red, the leaves in elliptic shape.

Flower color are yellow the size 1-2 mm.

Longan fruits

Fruit are cover with think skin color is yellow-brown, that pilled easily the flesh is white with special structure remind little bit onion, some cultivar are easy to take off the seeds, fruits taste remind the Lychee fruits

Longan for sale – Seeds or Plants to Buy

How to grow Longan growing and care:

Slightly acidity soil, rich soil, organic matter, fertilize 2-4 times a year

What is the best way to start growing?
Plant / Seed / Vegetative Reproduction – start by cutting but it’s harder to take care than to start by seeds but then no need to graft, requirements: moist soil, high humidity, peat soil, hormone for root growth.

Is it necessary to graft or use vegetative reproduction?
Yes, also possible without but the fruit can be too much seeds endless flesh

Difficulties or problems when growing:
Sensitive to salty soil

Planting season:
Spring

How to plant:
Planting in sunny location,

Pests and diseases:
Aphids, ants

Pruning season:
Autumn / Winter

How to prune:
Weak branches

Size of the plant?
6-12 m (20-40 feet), grow to the wide can be 8 m (24 feet) and more

Growth speed in optimal condition:
Medium growing

Water requirement:
Average amount of water

Light conditions in optimal condition for growing:
Full Sun

Is it possible to grow indoor as houseplant?
No

Growing is also possible in a planter /flowerpot / containers:
Yes

How to grow Longan in container:
Start with small pot 20-30% bigger than the roots ball, every time that switch the container to bigger switch some of the soil to new soil until arrive to the desirable container size, after that every few years better to switch part of the soil and prune some roots also once a year pruning for the tree, no need to take the plant out just from the side of the container, need to water regularly but don’t let the water site in bottom of the pot and verify that there are enough holes, soil can be used potting mix soil or mixture or peat soil and perlite, need to add fertilizer 2-4 times a year and also to hummus and organic matter, grafting or start by air layering is important, it will ensure that the tree will bear fruits in the container

Blooming information

Bloom season:
Spring / Summer

General information about the flower
Small white-yellow flowers

Thinning the bloom:
The first years recommend to thinning

Pollination is done by:
Bees

Edible Fruit

Fruit harvest season:
Summer / Autumn

Fruits pests or diseases:
Aphids, birds, ants

What can be done with big quantities of Longan fruits?
Eaten raw, jelly, juice

Work requirements on the fruit:
Sometime need to cover with net

How long does it take to bear fruit?
2-3 years

Ripening of fruit:
Can be taken little before the fruits ready

How to grow Longan from seed

Sowing requirement:
Better in peat soil with vermiculite possible in other soils, take care that the soil will be well ventilated (better result)

Saving seeds until sowing:
Dry and dark location, keep it room temperature

Sowing season:
Spring will be the best for the tree but possible in summer, and in hardiness zone 12+ possible all year

Planting spacing:
Better in different pots – because need to graft it after and some won’t establish, better to choose the best to transplant to the real location

Depth of Sowing:
3-5cm, (~1-2inches)

How to plant the seeds:
Dig a hole bigger than the seeds cover it lightly better with peat soil or vermiculite

Conditions for seeds germinate:
Moist soil, sunny location, water regularly and don’t let it dry

Watering requires for Seeds:
Average amount of water

Germination time:
2-4 weeks

Condition of seedling:
Sunny location, humidity and moist soil

Scientific name:

Dimocarpus longan

How to grow Longan

Dimocarpus longan

Longan tree fruits

Harvest Longan tree

Longan tree leaves

Growing Longan tree

Longan tree

Categories

Blooming Seasons
  • Spring flowers
  • Summer flowers
Edible Parts
  • Edible Fruit
Culinary uses
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Dried fruit
  • Eaten raw
  • Fruit
  • Ice pop & Ice cream plants
  • Jams
  • Juice
Flower colors
  • White flower
  • Yellow flower
Climate
  • Mediterranean Climate
  • Subtropics Climate
  • Tropics Climate
Harvest Season
  • Autumn Harvest
  • Summer Harvest
Leaf color
  • Red leaves
Ornamental parts
  • Ornamental leaves
  • Ornamental plant
Plant growing speed
  • Average growing plants
  • Fast growing plants
Plant life-form
  • Evergreen
  • Perennial plant
  • Tree
Plant Uses
  • Colored leaves
  • Edible plants
  • Ornamental plants
Planting Season
  • Autumn Planting
  • Spring Planting
  • Summer planting
Plants sun exposure
  • Full sun Plants
Watering plants
  • Regularly water
Hardiness zone
  • Hardiness zone 10
  • Hardiness zone 11
  • Hardiness zone 12
  • Hardiness zone 13
  • Hardiness zone 9

Growing in Pots, Balconies & Indoors

Longan (Dimocarpus longan) reaches 6-12 m (20-40 ft) and spreads wide, yet the grower confirms it can be grown and fruited in a container with the right technique. It is not a houseplant, but it makes a productive patio tree in a warm climate.

Quick Details

  • Container Size: Start 20-30% larger than the root ball and pot up in stages to a large final container
  • Indoor Suitability: Not a houseplant; grow it outdoors
  • Best Spot: Full sun
  • Soil & Drainage: Potting mix, or a blend of peat and perlite; plenty of drainage holes and never let water sit at the base
  • Watering in Pots: Average – water regularly but do not leave it standing in water

Indoors & On the Windowsill

  • Houseplant limits: Not a houseplant – it needs full sun and grows into a wide tree.
  • Overwintering: A potted longan can be sheltered in a bright, frost-free spot for the cool season in cold climates.

On a Balcony or Patio

  • Light & exposure: Give it the sunniest spot. Pots dry fast against warm walls, so water regularly – but ensure fast drainage, as it dislikes standing water.

Choosing the Pot, Soil & Long-Term Care

  • Pot & drainage: Use a pot with plenty of drainage holes; skip a standing water saucer to avoid root rot. Terracotta breathes and dries faster, while glazed or plastic pots hold moisture longer.
  • Potting mix: A well-aerated, organic-rich mix – peat or coir blended with perlite or vermiculite for drainage.
  • Feeding: Potted plants need feeding more often than those in the ground, as nutrients leach out with each watering – feed lightly through the active growing season.
  • Repotting: Refresh the mix or pot up about every two years; for an established specimen, replace part of the soil and lightly prune the roots and top growth.

Grower’s Container Tip

  • Pot up in stages: Start with a small pot about 20-30% bigger than the root ball. Each time you move up a size, swap in some fresh soil, until it reaches the final container size you want.
  • Ongoing care: After that, every few years replace part of the soil and prune some roots – you can work from the side of the pot without lifting the whole plant – and prune the tree itself about once a year.
  • Feeding & start: Water regularly but never let water sit at the bottom, and make sure there are enough drainage holes. Feed two to four times a year and add compost and organic matter. Start from a grafted plant or air layer to ensure it will fruit in the container.

Bloom & Flower Guide

Quick Details

  • Bloom Season: Spring to summer
  • Flower Appearance: Tiny yellow to white flowers, 1-2 mm, in large branched clusters (panicles)
  • Edibility: The flower is not eaten; the tree is grown for its sweet edible fruit

Detailed Blooming Overview

Longan carries masses of tiny yellow-white flowers in large branched panicles. As in its relative the lychee, only a share of the flowers set fruit, and the bloom offers a strong nectar flow that bees work heavily.

Flower Characteristics

  • Tiny yellow-white flowers, 1-2 mm across.
  • Massed in large branched clusters (panicles).

Bloom Care & Thinning

  • Pollination: Mainly bees (longan flowers are a strong nectar source).
  • Thinning: In the early years, thinning the bloom helps a young tree build up before carrying heavy crops.