Live Longan Tree Plant – Sweet Tropical Fruit Tree Starter, 5-8 Inch Tall

Overview

Bring the taste of the tropics to your home garden with this exquisite longan tree live plant. Known for its succulent, sweet fruit, the longan (Dimocarpus longan) is a cherished tropical evergreen tree related to the lychee. This starter plant, typically 5-8 inches tall, is ready for planting and promises to be a rewarding addition to your landscape or container collection. Originating from Southeast Asia, the longan fruit tree is celebrated for its juicy, translucent flesh that encases a single dark seed, resembling a dragon’s eye – hence its common name, ‘dragon’s eye fruit’. It’s a fantastic choice for gardeners looking to cultivate unique and delicious fruits.

Our longan tree live plant offers an exciting opportunity to grow your own fresh, sweet longan fruit. These young trees are carefully nurtured to ensure a healthy start in your garden. Whether you’re an experienced horticulturist or a budding enthusiast, cultivating a tropical fruit tree like the longan can be a deeply satisfying experience, providing both ornamental beauty and a bountiful harvest.

Key Benefits

Growing a longan tree live plant offers a multitude of benefits, from the delicious fruit it produces to its ornamental appeal in the garden:

• Sweet Tropical Fruit: Enjoy clusters of incredibly sweet and juicy longan fruit, perfect for eating fresh, adding to desserts, or preserving. The flavor is often described as a delicate blend of musk and sweetness, making it a unique treat.
• Ornamental Appeal: With its lush green foliage and attractive growth habit, the longan fruit tree serves as a beautiful addition to any tropical-themed garden or patio. It provides a vibrant, exotic touch.
• Vigorous Growth: Longan trees are known for being vigorous growers in warm climates, establishing themselves well and beginning to produce fruit relatively quickly under optimal conditions. This makes them a rewarding choice for those eager to see results.
• Adaptable to Containers: While they can grow into large trees, longan plants can be successfully maintained at a smaller size through pruning and grown in large containers, making them suitable for patios or smaller gardens. This allows more gardeners to grow longan tree plants.
• Unique Culinary Experience: Beyond fresh eating, longan fruit can be used in a variety of culinary applications, from smoothies and salads to Asian-inspired dishes and desserts, offering a distinct flavor profile.
• Potential Health Benefits: Longan fruit is a good source of Vitamin C and other antioxidants, contributing to overall well-being. Cultivating your own means access to fresh, nutrient-rich produce.
• Educational Value: Growing an exotic fruit tree like the longan provides a wonderful educational experience for families, teaching about plant life cycles, tropical agriculture, and sustainable living.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Caring for your longan tree live plant requires attention to its specific needs for light, water, and soil, especially as it establishes itself. Longan trees thrive in warm, subtropical to tropical climates. In the US, they are best grown outdoors in USDA Zones 9b–11, where they can enjoy ample warmth and sunshine. If you are in a cooler zone, consider growing your tropical fruit tree in a large pot that can be moved indoors during colder months. They prefer full sun exposure, meaning at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day is ideal for optimal growth and fruit production. However, in extremely hot climates, some afternoon shade can be beneficial for young plants.

When it comes to watering, longan trees prefer moderate watering. The soil should be kept consistently moist but never waterlogged, as this can lead to root rot. Allow the top inch or two of soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Good drainage is crucial, so plant in well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter. A slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0-7.0) is generally preferred. Fertilize your longan tree regularly during the growing season with a balanced fertilizer, reducing frequency during dormancy. Pruning can help maintain a desired size and shape, especially if you wish to grow longan tree plants in containers, and can also encourage better fruit production. Keep an eye out for common pests and diseases, and address them promptly to ensure the health of your tree. Understanding longan tree care will help you achieve a thriving plant.

Size & Details

This offering includes one healthy longan tree live plant, which will arrive approximately 5-8 inches tall. These young trees are starter plants, perfect for establishing in your home garden or a larger container. Longan trees are known for their fast growth rate in suitable climates, quickly developing into productive fruit bearers. At maturity, a longan tree can typically reach a height of 30–40 feet when planted in the ground, though its size can be effectively managed with regular pruning and by growing it in a large container. The plant will be shipped ready for planting, with its root ball intact to minimize transplant shock. The time to first fruit production can vary, but with proper longan tree care, you can anticipate fruit within a few years of planting.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big does this longan tree get? A: When planted in the ground, a mature longan tree can typically reach 30-40 feet tall. However, its size can be managed with regular pruning or by growing it in a large container, allowing you to control its height and spread.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: The longan tree live plant is a tropical outdoor plant suitable for USDA Zones 9b-11. In cooler climates, it can be grown in a pot and brought indoors during winter to protect it from frost.
• Q: How much sunlight does a longan tree need? A: Longan trees prefer full sun exposure, requiring at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day for optimal growth and fruit production. Young plants might benefit from some afternoon shade in extremely hot regions.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: Longan trees are relatively easy to care for once established, provided they are in the correct climate and given proper attention to watering, sunlight, and soil conditions. They are considered vigorous growers.
• Q: What condition will the longan tree arrive in? A: Your longan tree live plant will arrive as a healthy starter plant, approximately 5-8 inches tall, with its root ball carefully packaged to ensure minimal stress during transit and readiness for planting.
• Q: How long until it produces fruit? A: With proper care and optimal growing conditions, a young longan tree can begin to produce fruit within 3-5 years from planting. Factors like climate and cultivation practices can influence this timeline.
• Q: What type of soil is best for a longan tree? A: Longan trees thrive in well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter. A slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0-7.0) is generally preferred to support healthy growth of your longan fruit tree.
• Q: Can I grow longan tree in a container? A: Yes, you can successfully grow longan tree plants in large containers. This is an excellent option for gardeners in cooler climates who need to move the tree indoors during winter, or for those with limited garden space.
• Q: Will it survive winter in my zone? A: Longan trees are sensitive to frost and thrive in warm climates. They will survive outdoors year-round only in USDA Zones 9b-11. In colder zones, winter protection or indoor relocation is essential.
• Q: What are the main requirements for good longan tree care? A: Key aspects of longan tree care include full sun, moderate and consistent watering (avoiding waterlogging), well-draining soil, regular fertilization during the growing season, and protection from frost.