Longan (Dimocarpus longan)

Also known as: Longan Tree, Dragon's eye

The longan tree (Dimocarpus longan) is a tropical evergreen that can exceed 30 meters in height, featuring long, often drooping branches. This tree produces edible fruits that bear resemblance to lychees but are generally milder in flavor. The fruit is small and round, with a thin, firm, bark-like skin. Inside, the flesh is translucent and juicy, encasing a single dark seed.

In This Article

Care Tips Water Sunlight Temperature Soil Fertilize Prune Propagation Repotting Toxicity

Attributes of Longan

Lifespan

Perennial

Plant Type

Tree

Plant Height

9 m to 30 m

Spread

9 m to 12 m

Leaf Color

Green

Flower Size

2.5 cm

Flower Color

Yellow

Images of Longan

Quickly Identify Longan

Longan trees can be identified by their glossy, dark green compound leaves and round, yellow-brown fruits with a translucent white flesh surrounding a single black seed. The fruit’s appearance gives rise to the name 'Dragon Eye'.

Scientific Classification of Longan

Phylum

Vascular plants

Class

Dicotyledons

Order

Maples, mangos, mahogany, citrus, and allies

Family

Soapberry

Genus

Dimocarpus

Species

Longan

Planting and Growing of Longan

Care Difficulty

Hard

Watering Schedule

Every 3 days

Sunlight Requirements

Full sun

Sunshine Duration

4-6 hours

Ideal Temperature

77-95℉

Soil Type

Potting Mix, Peat Mix

Soil pH

6.5-7.5

Fertilizer Type

Balanced

Pruning Season

Spring, Summer

Pruning Area

Branches, Leaves

Pruning Frequency

2 times a year

Repotting Season

Spring

Pot Type

Plastic, Ceramic

How to Water Longan?

The longan tree requires a moderate amount of water, usually around 500 milliliters each time. It's crucial to ensure the soil is moist but not overly saturated. The top layer of soil should be dry between waterings to ensure that the roots neither drown nor dry out completely.

What are the symptoms of an underwatered Longan? ›

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What are the symptoms of an overwatered Longan? ›

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What Are the Sunlight Requirements for Longan?

Sunlight Requirements: Full sun, Partial sun

Duration of light: 6-8 hours

The ideal light range for Dimocarpus longan is full to partial sun exposure, optimizing the plant's ability to photosynthesize efficiently and promoting healthy growth and fruiting. This lighting condition is integral to achieving optimal development.

What is the ideal lighting condition for Dimocarpus longan? ›

How can one achieve the ideal light conditions for this plant? ›

What benefits does Dimocarpus longan obtain from ideal light conditions? ›

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What Is the Ideal Temperature Range for Longan?

Ideal Temperature: 77 ~ 95℉

Dimocarpus longan thrives best in temperature ranges between 77°F and 95°F. This temperature range facilitates optimal metabolic functioning and growth, ensuring strong health and robust fruit production.

What Soil is Best for Longan?

Soil type: Loam, Sandy loam, Clay soil

Soil PH: 6.5 ~ 7.5

Longan trees thrive in well-drained soil that prevents waterlogging, which can lead to root rot. Ensuring your soil has good drainage will promote healthy root growth and overall plant vitality. Rich loam soil provides essential nutrients, promoting vigorous growth and better fruit production. Incorporating organic matter like compost can enhance the nutrient content further. While good drainage is crucial, longan also benefits from soil that retains enough moisture to keep roots hydrated. This balance ensures the tree gets the water it needs without suffocating the roots. More About Soil→

How to Fertilize Longan?

Fertilizer type: Balanced

Dimocarpus longan, commonly known as Longan, requires a balanced approach to fertilization. Applying too much can damage the plant, while too little can stunt its growth. As a guideline, use a dilute liquid fertilizer with a concentration of around 1/4 strength during the growing season. A granular, slow-release fertilizer can be applied at a rate of about 0.5 kg per tree annually during the spring. More About Fertilizing Techniques→

How to Prune Longan?

Pruning Time: Spring, Summer, Autumn

Before you start pruning, take a step back and assess the tree's overall shape. Look for any dead, diseased, or crossing branches that need to be removed. Remove any dead, damaged, or diseased branches first. This helps prevent the spread of disease and improves air circulation within the tree canopy. Longan trees can become quite dense. Thin out crowded branches to allow sunlight to reach the inner parts of the tree, promoting healthy growth and fruiting. Trim back the outer branches to shape the canopy, maintaining a balanced and open structure. This not only improves light penetration but also enhances the tree's aesthetic appeal. If the tree is for fruit production, consider pruning lower branches for easier access during harvest. Ensure any cuts are clean and angled to prevent water from sitting on the cut surfaces. More About Pruning Techniques→

How to Propagate Longan plant?

Propagate Time: Spring, Early summer

Use a well-draining soil mix rich in organic matter. This helps in retaining moisture while allowing excess water to drain, which is crucial for seedling and graft growth.

If seed propagating, plant seeds about 2 cm deep into the soil. For grafting, select and attach the scion to the rootstock under optimal conditions to ensure good cambium contact.

Water the plant regularly but avoid waterlogging. Maintain moderate soil moisture, as both over-watering and under-watering can hinder growth or cause plant stress.

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How to Repot Longan plant?

Repotting frequency: Every 2-3 years

Dimocarpus longan should be repotted when you notice its roots growing out of the drainage holes, or if the plant's growth seems stunted. Spring and summer are ideal seasons for repotting, as the plant is actively growing.

Select a pot that is 2-3 inches larger in diameter than the current one. It should have good drainage holes to prevent water logging, which can harm the root system. A pot of the right size encourages optimal growth and prevents the plant from becoming root-bound.

Use well-draining, sandy loam soil rich in organic matter. This type of soil prevents water retention, which can lead to root rot. The right soil ensures that Dimocarpus longan receives the necessary nutrients and keeps its roots healthy.

Toxicity of Longan

Is Longan toxic to cat?

Longan possesses a mild toxic effect on cats. Ingesting large quantities, especially the seeds, can result in poisoning. Cat owners must be attentive and discourage their furry friends from consuming significant amounts of these components. Signs that indicate ingestion and resulting poisoning include overall physical unease and distress. If a cat exhibits such negative symptoms, it is crucial to obtain prompt veterinary assistance to address any health concerns stemming from the ingestion of longan.

Is Longan toxic to dog?

Longan carries a slight toxicity risk for dogs, particularly when they consume the seeds in large quantities. Although the fruit's flesh is typically regarded as safe, ingesting the seeds can result in poisoning. It is important for dog owners to be vigilant and to keep their pets from accessing these parts of the longan fruit. If a dog ingests a considerable number of longan seeds, it may show signs such as gastrointestinal distress or more severe symptoms, contingent on the quantity consumed. Therefore, pet owners should carefully observe their dogs for any behavioral or health changes and should seek prompt veterinary assistance if poisoning is suspected.

WARNING

The judgment on toxicity and danger is for reference only. We DO NOT GUARANTEE any accuracy of such judgment. Therefore, you SHALL NOT rely on such judgment. It is IMPORTANT TO SEEK PROFESSIONAL ADVICE in advance when necessary.

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