The Thai litchi plant (commonly spelled lychee) is a tropical fruit tree native to Southeast Asia and is widely grown in Thailand for its sweet, aromatic fruit. Here’s a description of the plant and its features:
🌳 Thai Litchi (Lychee) Plant Description
Scientific Name: Litchi chinensis
Family: Sapindaceae
Common Thai Name: ลิ้นจี่ (Linchee)
🌱 Plant Characteristics:
Type: Evergreen, tropical/subtropical fruit tree
Height: Grows up to 10–15 meters (33–50 feet) in height under optimal conditions
Lifespan: Long-living, productive for decades with proper care
🌿 Leaves:
Type: Pinnate (compound), glossy, leathery
Color: Dark green above, lighter underneath
Arrangement: Opposite, with 4–8 leaflets per leaf
🌸 Flowers:
Blooming Season (Thailand): February to March
Type: Small, yellowish-white, in panicle clusters
Pollination: Mainly by insects, especially bees
🍒 Fruits:
Harvest Season (Thailand): April to June
Shape: Round to oval
Skin: Rough, leathery, and bumpy; turns reddish-pink when ripe
Flesh: White, juicy, translucent, sweet with floral aroma
Seed: One shiny brown seed inside
🌦️ Growing Conditions:
Climate: Subtropical to tropical; needs cool winters to induce flowering
Soil: Well-draining, slightly acidic to neutral (pH 5.5–7.0)
Sunlight: Full sun
Watering: Requires regular watering during dry periods but does not tolerate waterlogging
🌾 Popular Thai Varieties:
‘Hong Huay’ (ฮงฮวย): Large fruit, sweet, juicy, and commercially important
‘Kim Cheng’ (กิมเจ็ง): Small seed, thick flesh, aromatic
‘Ohia’ (โอ๋เฮีย): Late-season variety with excellent shelf life
🌱 Cultivation Notes:
Propagated by air-layering (marcottage), grafting, or seedlings
Young trees need protection from strong wind and frost
Mulching and regular pruning help maintain healthy growth and yield