{"id":1657,"date":"2023-06-14T00:55:05","date_gmt":"2023-06-14T07:55:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gardeningeats.com\/?p=1657"},"modified":"2023-06-14T00:55:05","modified_gmt":"2023-06-14T07:55:05","slug":"how-to-grow-lychees","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gardeningeats.com\/how-to-grow-lychees\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Grow Lychees &#8211; A Beginner&#8217;s Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" data-layzr=\"https:\/\/www.gardeningeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/How-to-Grow-Lychees.png\" alt=\"lychees plant growing in garden\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p>Embrace the joy of home gardening by cultivating your own lychees, botanically known as Litchi chinensis. This guide serves as your handy companion, covering the essential steps for growing lychees and helping you steer clear of common gardening pitfalls.<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_65 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title \" >Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/gardeningeats.com\/how-to-grow-lychees\/#Quick_Reference_Guide_for_Growing_Lychees\" title=\"Quick Reference Guide for Growing Lychees\">Quick Reference Guide for Growing Lychees<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/gardeningeats.com\/how-to-grow-lychees\/#Best_Time_to_Plant_Lychees\" title=\"Best Time to Plant Lychees\">Best Time to Plant Lychees<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/gardeningeats.com\/how-to-grow-lychees\/#How_to_Plant_Lychees_the_Right_Way\" title=\"How to Plant Lychees the Right Way\">How to Plant Lychees the Right Way<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/gardeningeats.com\/how-to-grow-lychees\/#How_Much_Sunlight_is_Needed_to_Grow_Lychees\" title=\"How Much Sunlight is Needed to Grow Lychees\">How Much Sunlight is Needed to Grow Lychees<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/gardeningeats.com\/how-to-grow-lychees\/#How_Much_to_Water_Lychees\" title=\"How Much to Water Lychees\">How Much to Water Lychees<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/gardeningeats.com\/how-to-grow-lychees\/#How_Long_Does_it_Take_Lychees_to_Germinate_and_Grow\" title=\"How Long Does it Take Lychees to Germinate and Grow?\">How Long Does it Take Lychees to Germinate and Grow?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/gardeningeats.com\/how-to-grow-lychees\/#When_to_Harvest_Lychees\" title=\"When to Harvest Lychees\">When to Harvest Lychees<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/gardeningeats.com\/how-to-grow-lychees\/#What_Can_Lychees_Be_Used_For\" title=\"What Can Lychees Be Used For?\">What Can Lychees Be Used For?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/gardeningeats.com\/how-to-grow-lychees\/#Can_Lychees_Grow_in_Pots_and_Containers\" title=\"Can Lychees Grow in Pots and Containers?\">Can Lychees Grow in Pots and Containers?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/gardeningeats.com\/how-to-grow-lychees\/#Are_Lychees_Safe_for_Bees\" title=\"Are Lychees Safe for Bees?\">Are Lychees Safe for Bees?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Quick_Reference_Guide_for_Growing_Lychees\"><\/span>Quick Reference Guide for Growing Lychees<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<th>Best Time to Plant<\/th>\n<td>Spring<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th>Soil PH<\/th>\n<td>6.0 to 7.5<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th>Water Needs<\/th>\n<td>Maintain damp, but not soggy or dry soil<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th>Sunlight Requirements<\/th>\n<td>Full sun<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th>Germination to Harvest Time<\/th>\n<td>Perennial, fruits in 3-5 years<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th>Harvesting Indicator<\/th>\n<td>Skin turns bright red<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th>Usage<\/th>\n<td>Fresh eating, desserts<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th>Pot\/Container Growing<\/th>\n<td>No<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th>Bee Friendly<\/th>\n<td>Yes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Best_Time_to_Plant_Lychees\"><\/span>Best Time to Plant Lychees<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>When it comes to planting lychees, your local climate holds sway. As a general rule, spring presents the optimal conditions for planting lychee seeds or propagating air-layering, thereby improving the seedlings&#8217; survival chances. Check the <a href=\"https:\/\/planthardiness.ars.usda.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map<\/a> to find out when lychees are likely to flourish in your region. If you&#8217;re based outside the US, a quick &#8216;plant hardiness zone + [city]&#8217; search will do the trick.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_Plant_Lychees_the_Right_Way\"><\/span>How to Plant Lychees the Right Way<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Gardening is an art, and every detail counts. Let&#8217;s start with your soil\u2014it&#8217;s the cornerstone of your lychee plant&#8217;s well-being. Ideally, your soil should be well-drained and fertile with a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.esf.edu\/pubprog\/brochure\/soilph\/soilph.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Soil PH level<\/a> between 6.0 and 7.5. When sowing, make sure to place the seeds at a depth of 36-48&#8243;.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Much_Sunlight_is_Needed_to_Grow_Lychees\"><\/span>How Much Sunlight is Needed to Grow Lychees<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Lighting is a key component for a successful harvest. Overexposure to sunlight can lead to dehydration, while insufficient sunlight can stunt growth or even result in death. The key is to ensure your lychees receive full sun for optimal growth.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Much_to_Water_Lychees\"><\/span>How Much to Water Lychees<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Watering also plays a crucial role in your lychee plant&#8217;s well-being. The soil should remain consistently damp, never soggy or completely dry. If you notice changes in leaf color or drooping, it&#8217;s time to reassess your watering approach. Overwatering and underwatering can have dire consequences, so be vigilant and adjust watering levels as necessary.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Long_Does_it_Take_Lychees_to_Germinate_and_Grow\"><\/span>How Long Does it Take Lychees to Germinate and Grow?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Watching your lychees grow is a real thrill! It&#8217;s worth noting that lychees aren&#8217;t typically grown from seeds. However, once planted, they generally bear fruit within 3-5 years.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"When_to_Harvest_Lychees\"><\/span>When to Harvest Lychees<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Your patience will soon pay off. Once the skin turns a vibrant red, it&#8217;s harvesting time. With proper care, your lychee trees can reach an impressive height of 20-30&#8242;.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Can_Lychees_Be_Used_For\"><\/span>What Can Lychees Be Used For?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><strong>Food Use:<\/strong> Lychees offer a sweet, fragrant, and slightly tart flavor perfect for fresh eating and dessert making.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_Lychees_Grow_in_Pots_and_Containers\"><\/span>Can Lychees Grow in Pots and Containers?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Lychees typically need more room to grow, so container cultivation isn&#8217;t recommended. However, they&#8217;ll thrive in a spacious garden or orchard.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Are_Lychees_Safe_for_Bees\"><\/span>Are Lychees Safe for Bees?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Yes, lychees are bee-friendly. As <a href=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/usa\/sustainable-agriculture\/save-the-bees\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">GreenPeace.org<\/a> highlights, bees play a critical role in pollinating about 90% of the world&#8217;s food crops. Cultivating lychees supports these crucial pollinators, contributing to a healthy ecosystem and food supply.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Embrace the joy of home gardening by cultivating your own lychees, botanically known as Litchi chinensis. This guide serves as your handy companion, covering the essential steps for growing lychees and helping you steer clear of common gardening pitfalls. Quick Reference Guide for Growing Lychees Best Time to Plant Spring Soil PH 6.0 to 7.5 Water Needs Maintain damp, but not soggy or dry soil Sunlight Requirements Full sun Germination to Harvest Time Perennial, fruits in 3-5 years Harvesting Indicator Skin turns bright red Usage Fresh eating, desserts Pot\/Container Growing No Bee Friendly Yes Best Time to Plant Lychees When <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1629,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[231,18],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gardeningeats.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1657"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gardeningeats.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gardeningeats.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gardeningeats.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gardeningeats.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1657"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/gardeningeats.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1657\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1732,"href":"https:\/\/gardeningeats.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1657\/revisions\/1732"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gardeningeats.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1629"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gardeningeats.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1657"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gardeningeats.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1657"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gardeningeats.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1657"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}