Light. Full sun gives the best growth and fruit.
Water. Water young trees regularly. Bearing trees need regular water from flowering through harvest, then less from late summer through winter to encourage spring bloom. Avoid timed sprinklers, which cause root rot.
Soil and feeding. Grows in sandy or rocky limestone soil that drains well. Feed young trees every 6–8 weeks the first year, and mature trees at bloom and harvest with Citrus and Fruit Tree Fertilizer. Skip nitrogen after August.
Size. Pruning keeps it at about 25 ft or less; unpruned trees in South Florida reach 30–40 ft.
Pruning. Prune after harvest. Pruning in fall or winter reduces spring flowering.
Problems to watch. Lychee webworm, scale and weevils are the main pests. Birds take fruit; bags or netting keep them off. It does not tolerate flooded soil.
Good to know. 'Kohala' is Florida's main longan, fruiting mid-July to August. Crops vary year to year. Young trees are damaged at 29–31°F.
Sources: UF/IFAS EDIS FC49/MG049: Longan Growing in the Florida Home Landscape
