How to grow Longan in Australia
A tropical tree for full sun in deep, well-drained soil in a warm, frost-free spot sheltered from wind. Water young trees regularly and deeply to establish, then keep soil moist during flowering and fruiting.
At a glance
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- Sun: Full sun
- Water: 15 litres a week, watered every 4 days
- Spacing: 800 cm
- Time to harvest: 730 days (about 2 years)
- Time to germinate: 14 days
- Soil pH: 5.5 to 6.5
- Frost tolerance: Frost tender
When to sow by region
| Region | When to sow | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| South East Queensland | September to February | |
| Northern Rivers NSW | September to February | |
| Sydney & Coastal NSW | October to January | Marginal. Only in warm sheltered coastal spots. |
| Melbourne & Victoria | Not suited | Not viable in Melbourne. Needs tropical conditions. |
| Adelaide & SA | Not suited | Not viable in Adelaide. Needs tropical conditions. |
| Perth & WA | Not suited | Not viable in Perth. Needs tropical humidity. |
| Tasmania | Not suited | Unsuitable. Needs subtropical warmth. Not viable in Tasmania. |
| Canberra & ACT | Not suited | Not viable. Needs tropical conditions. |
| North Queensland | September to March | Thrives in North QLD. Extended planting window. Ideal conditions. |
| Darwin & Top End | September to March | Darwin is ideal longan country. Year-round warmth. |
Varieties
- Kohala
- Biew Kiew
Companion planting
Good companions
Harvest and storage
Harvest tip
Harvest whole clusters once the fruit turns tan-brown and tastes sweet. Snip the bunch from the branch, since the fruit does not sweeten further once picked.
Storage
Fridge for up to 1 week. Freeze peeled and deseeded for months.