Lychee 'Sweetheart' (Litchi chinensis)
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Sweetheart Lychee (Litchi chinensis 'Sweetheart') is a top-tier, ultra-sweet lychee variety prized for its deep red, bumpy skin, juicy translucent flesh, and extremely small seed—making it one of the most flavorful and rewarding lychees to grow. It’s often considered the sweetest and most desirable commercial cultivar in the U.S., with fruits that burst with tropical perfume and floral, grape-like flavor.
Sweetheart trees are vigorous and productive, especially in warm, humid subtropical to tropical climates. The fruit ripens in early to mid summer and grows in clusters, making it easy to harvest by the handful. The tree itself is beautiful, with shiny evergreen foliage, rounded canopy, and reddish new growth.
While lychees can be a bit slow to mature, they’re well worth the wait—and Sweetheart stands out for its superior fruit quality, consistency, and overall beauty. It grows best in full sun, with well-draining soil and protection from wind while young.
| Sweetheart Lychee | Mauritius Lychee | Brewster Lychee | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Litchi chinensis 'Sweetheart' | Litchi chinensis 'Mauritius' | Litchi chinensis 'Brewster' |
| Common Names | Sweetheart Lychee | Mauritius Lychee | Brewster Lychee |
| Family | Sapindaceae (Soapberry Family) | Sapindaceae (Soapberry Family) | Sapindaceae (Soapberry Family) |
| Origin | Southeast Asia (cultivar developed in FL) | Southeast Asia (popularized in Florida) | Southeast Asia (introduced to U.S. early) |
| Plant Type | Tropical Fruiting Tree | Tropical Fruiting Tree | Tropical Fruiting Tree |
| Life Cycle | Perennial | Perennial | Perennial |
| Food Forest Layer | Canopy / Mid-Story Layer | Canopy / Mid-Story Layer | Canopy / Mid-Story Layer |
| Mature Size | 15–25 ft (prune to maintain) | 20–30 ft (prune to maintain) | 20–30 ft (prune to maintain) |
| Light | Full Sun | Full Sun | Full Sun |
| Water Needs | Moderate; protect from standing water | Moderate; prefers consistent moisture | Moderate; protect from flooding |
| Harvest Season | Early to Mid Summer | Late Spring to Early Summer | Mid to Late Summer |
| Time to Fruit | 0-2 years (air-layered) | 0-2 years (air-layered) | 0-2 years (air-layered) |
| Self-Fertile | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Growth Rate | Slow to Moderate | Moderate | Moderate |
| Zones | USDA Zones 9–11 (Mature Lychee trees are cold tolerant to at least 26 degrees.) | USDA Zones 9–11 (Mature Lychee trees are cold tolerant to at least 26 degrees.) | USDA Zones 9–11 (Mature Lychee trees are cold tolerant to at least 26 degrees.) |
| Florida Native | No | No | No |
| Propagation | Air-layered | Air-layered | Air-layered |
| Seasonal Characteristics | Evergreen; small seed, reddish new growth | Evergreen; early ripening, bronze new growth | Evergreen; cold-hardy, broad upright canop |
NOTES:
Mature Size:
Very easy and fun to prune and maintain at smaller sizes and are well-suited for container growing.
Soil & Moisture:
Good drainage, rich soil, and irrigation are essential for the early success of this tree. Well-draining soil is essential for Lychee tree growth and they do very well planted on mounds to promote drainage. Requires regular watering until well-established. Increase watering during flowering and fruiting season. Does not like standing water or too much salinity.
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