Longan Dimocarpus longan
Longan (Dimocarpus longan) is an evergreen perennial fruit plant in the Sapindaceae family, native to Southern China, northern Myanmar and mainland Southeast Asia. It grows 6–10 m (20–33 ft) tall and 5–8 m (16–26 ft) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about -4 °C (25 °F). Space plants about 8 m (26 ft) apart.
Plan Longan in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Longan at a glance
| Type | Perennial fruit plant, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Sapindaceae |
| Mature height | 6–10 m (20–33 ft) |
| Mature spread | 5–8 m (16–26 ft) |
| Spacing | 8 m (26 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 7 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 5–7 |
| Cold hardiness | About -4 °C (25 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 9) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 36 °C (97 °F) |
| Flowering | from about March for 3–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Yes: fruit aril |
| Native to | Southern China, northern Myanmar and mainland Southeast Asia |
| Common in gardens of | 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇨🇳 China, 🇻🇳 Vietnam |
Is Longan toxic?
- People: mildly toxic
- Cats: not well documented
- Dogs: not well documented
- Parts: seeds
The seeds contain saponins and are not eaten; the ripe aril is safe.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Longan
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
Questions about Longan
- How far apart should I plant Longan?
- About 8 m (26 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 5–8 m (16–26 ft).
- Does Longan need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 7 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Longan need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Longan?
- It tolerates about -4 °C (25 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9.
- When does Longan flower?
- From about March for 3–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Longan poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not well documented; for dogs not well documented; for people mildly toxic. The seeds contain saponins and are not eaten; the ripe aril is safe.
- What grows well with Longan?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Longan. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- UF/IFAS Extension tropical and subtropical fruit and landscape publications, University of Florida
- EcoCrop crop environmental requirements, FAO
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Notes and assumptions
- Somewhat hardier than lychee; mature trees tolerate brief cold to about −4 °C. Needs a cool spell to flower reliably, although Thai growers force off-season flowering with chemicals.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Japanese maple Acer palmatum
- Red maple Acer rubrum
- Lychee Litchi chinensis
- Rambutan Nephelium lappaceum
- Sugar maple Acer saccharum
- Norway maple Acer platanoides
- Field maple Acer campestre
- Horse chestnut Aesculus hippocastanum