How to Plant Longan

The longan tree, native to China, is thought to have been brought to Florida in 1903. Often called the "dragon's eye tree" due to the eye-like appearance of the fruit, the tree can grow to a height of 40 feet. Longan trees bear fruit best after cool, but not freezing, winters. Often, they have one good year of fruit bearing followed by one or two poor years. They are easy to grow but must be kept well irrigated.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Shovel Sand (if soil is not sandy) Wooden stake and string

1. Choose the right location. Longan trees like a lot of sunlight and prefer warm temperatures.

2. Prepare the soil. Longan trees like sandy loam. If you do not have naturally sandy soil, mix a lot of sand into your soil. In fact, longan trees can grow in pure sand, as long as it is moderately acidic. Longan trees also grow well in limestone.

3. Dig a hole as deep as the root ball and twice as wide as the root base. Then, place the tree in the hole. The sandy soil will probably collapse around the tree rather quickly. Fill the hole in completely around the root ball.

4. Tamp down the soil around the tree, and water it well. Keep the soil moist. Longan trees do not tolerate dry soil very well.

5. Support a young longan tree by tying it to a stake driven into the ground next to the trunk. Many saplings need added support, especially in windy areas.

Tips & Warnings

• Longan trees only grow well in subtropical climates, such as southern Florida or southern California.
• If temperatures drop near freezing, the cold can damage or kill a longan tree very quickly.

References

• Purdue fact sheet about longans

Resources

• More about longans