Lychee 'Mauritius' (Litchi chinensis)
Reliable, Heavy-Bearing Lychee with Tropical Sweetness and Red Skin
Mauritius Lychee is one of the most popular and reliable lychee cultivars for both home gardeners and commercial orchards. It produces large clusters of bright red fruit with translucent, juicy, sweet flesh and a slightly floral aroma. Slightly more tart than Sweetheart, the Mauritius variety offers balanced tropical flavor, incredible productivity, and early harvests.
Mauritius Lychee is especially valued for its early fruiting, typically ripening weeks ahead of other varieties, which makes it a favorite among growers. The tree is vigorous and upright, with beautiful shiny green leaves and bronze-colored new growth. It's also more cold-tolerant than some other cultivars, making it one of the best lychees for Florida and Zone 9B growers.
This air-layered tree can begin fruiting in just a few years and thrives in full sun, well-draining soil, and warm, humid conditions. Whether you're building a food forest or dreaming of your own tropical orchard, Mauritius is a proven, productive, and delicious lychee to grow.
| 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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