Native & adapted

Longan

Dimocarpus longan

Also known as Dragon eye · Lam yai · Nhãn

A slow, handsome lychee relative with clusters of sweet, translucent fruit in late summer. A little tougher than lychee and a better bet for Phoenix.

EdibleFruitingEvergreenContainer friendly

Landscape layersLower canopy

Mature size

10–15 ft tall and 10–15 ft wide in Phoenix

Climate fit

Urban core · USDA 9b–10a · Valley suburbs · USDA 9a–9b

Plant spacing

12–15 ft from other trees

Frost

Young trees damaged near 30°F; established trees survive brief dips to about 28°F.

Special categories

EDIBLE

Hardiness guidance

USDA 10–11; mature trees take brief dips to about 28°F

Winter chill

None, but a cool, dry winter helps it flower

Typical harvest

Late summer, usually August and September.

Before you plant

These conditions determine whether it will thrive.

Soil chemistry

Fast-draining soil rich in compost. Phoenix soil is alkaline, so work in soil sulfur and organic matter and use chelated iron if new leaves turn yellow between the veins.

Required microclimate

Placement is part of the growing system.

Sheltered spot with afternoon shade in summer and frost cover in winter.

Cold hardiness

Cover in a hard freeze below 31°F

Young trees are badly damaged at 29 to 31°F and can die at 26 to 28°F. Older trees show leaf damage around 27 to 28°F and branch damage at 25 to 26°F, so cover young trees every frost and established ones in a hard freeze.

Leaves and wood: damaged below 31°F

Heat tolerance

Needs afternoon shade

Likes summers in the 80s and 90s with steady soil moisture, and prefers some shade from the strongest sun. In Phoenix give it afternoon shade, and expect dry wind during spring bloom to cut fruit set.

Sources:

edis.ifas.ufl.edu , hort.purdue.edu , tropical.theferns.info

Right plant, right place

Will Longan grow at your Arizona property?

Air-layered trees fruit within a year or two. Good in a large container while young.

Best regional fit: Urban core · USDA 9b–10a, Valley suburbs · USDA 9a–9b.

Light

Sun exposure

Morning sun with afternoon shade from June through September, such as the east side of a house or under a taller nurse tree. Protect from frost on winter nights.

Water

Irrigation

Moderate and steady. Deep water twice a week in summer; ease off in late fall and winter to encourage flowering.

Fruit set

Pollination

Self-fertile; bees help set fruit.

Harvest

How to use it

Fresh, dried or canned. Dried longan is used in teas and desserts.

Planting & stewardship

How to help Longan thrive

1
Shade young trees in summer and protect from hot wind.
2
Hold back water and nitrogen in late fall to encourage spring flowering.
3
Thin fruit clusters lightly for larger fruit.
4
Net the tree as fruit colors to keep birds away.

Read the horticultural reference ↗