🍎 Lychee
Litchi chinensis
fruits Perennial
L
☀️ Sun
Full sun
💧 Water
Regular, consistent moisture; sensitive to drought
🗺️ Zones
10–11
🪴 Soil Type
Rich, well-draining loam with organic matter
🧪 Soil pH
5.0–7.0
💧 Drainage
Well-draining
📏 Spacing
25–40 ft
📐 Height
30–40 ft
📅 Days to Maturity
1095–1825 (3–5 years from grafting)
🍴 Edible Parts
🍽️ Fruit (aril flesh)
🤝 Companions (8)
Dynamic accumulator, mulch provider
Ground cover, pest deterrent
🤝 Marigold
Nematode control
Attracts pollinators
Attracts bees, improves soil
🤝 Pigeon Pea
Nitrogen fixer, windbreak
Pest repellent
🤝 Clover
Ground cover, nitrogen fixer
⚠️ Keep Apart (3)
⚠️ Walnut
Juglone toxicity
Allelopathic, competes for water
⚠️ Grass
Competes for nutrients near trunk
💊 Medicinal Uses
High in vitamin C, copper, potassium; antioxidant and anti-inflammatory; used for digestion and skin health.
📜 History & Traditional Uses
Cultivated in southern China for over 2000 years; beloved in Chinese culture as symbol of romance; introduced to the West in 18th century.
📝 Notes
Evergreen subtropical tree; requires chill hours for flowering; sensitive to wind and frost; air-layering is common propagation method.