Longan, known as dragon's eye for the distinctive dark seed visible through translucent flesh, is a tropical evergreen tree native to Southeast Asia that produces sweet, edible fruit. Hardy in USDA zones 10, 12, it grows 30, 40 feet tall with a spreading canopy and reaches maturity around 30, 40 feet in height and 35, 45 feet wide. The tree thrives in warm, humid subtropical climates and is widely cultivated across China, India, Southeast Asia, and Australia; in the United States, it survives winters only in southern Florida, southern California, and Hawaii. Showy flowers bloom in April, followed by clusters of edible, visually striking fruit that ripens in summer and fall.
Partial Sun
Moderate
10-12
480in H x 540in W
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Moderate
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Longan rewards patient growers with decades of reliable production once established in the right climate. The evergreen foliage is glossy and deeply textured, with wavy-edged leaflets that catch light beautifully throughout the year. Unlike many tropical fruits, longan asks for remarkably little fuss once planted in the right spot: no serious pests or disease problems plague this tree, and it tolerates light frost, making it surprisingly hardy for a subtropical species.
Longan fruit is eaten fresh off the tree, its thin shell easily peeled to reveal sweet translucent flesh around the dark seed. The fruit is also dried and stored for later use, added to Asian desserts and sweet soups, or occasionally preserved. Because of its ornamental flowers and showy edible fruit, the tree also serves as an attractive landscape specimen in tropical and subtropical gardens.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Longan can be started from seed indoors in warm conditions (70, 80°F) to extend the growing season in cooler regions, though germination may be slow. Start seeds 8, 12 weeks before the last frost date, though this is most practical only for gardeners planning to grow young trees in containers for eventual transplanting to zone 10, 12 locations.
Transplant young trees outdoors after the last frost date in spring, spacing them 30, 40 feet apart to accommodate their mature spread. Choose a location with full sun to partial shade and ensure the soil is rich, moist, well-drained, and acidic. Water thoroughly at planting and maintain consistent moisture as the tree establishes; in dry climates, mulch around the base to conserve soil moisture.
Direct sowing is not recommended; longan is typically propagated from seed, grafting, or air layering. Seed propagation works, but grafted trees fruit more reliably and uniformly.
Longan fruit ripens in summer and fall, turning from green to golden brown when ready. Pick fruit when the skin color deepens and the fruit yields slightly to gentle pressure; the thin shell should separate easily from the fruit inside. Harvest clusters by cutting the stems rather than pulling individual fruits to avoid damaging the branch.
Minimal pruning is required; longan naturally develops a spreading, attractive form with little intervention. Remove any dead, crossing, or diseased branches to maintain health and shape. Light pruning after harvest can help manage size and encourage denser branching, but avoid heavy pruning, which can stress the tree.
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“Dimocarpus longan originates from the tropical regions of Southeast Asia, where it has been cultivated for centuries as a staple fruit crop. The tree spread throughout China, India, and neighboring regions, becoming particularly important to Southeast Asian agriculture and cuisine. Its journey to the Western world came through botanical gardens and tropical plant collectors; today, it is grown commercially and in home gardens across tropical and subtropical zones globally, with Australia and Hawaii among the established cultivation regions outside its native range.”