Emperor Lychee

Emperor Lychee

5 Gallon
Sale price  $149.00 Regular price  $199.00
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Emperor Lychee
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Emperor Lychee

Litchi chinensis ‘Emperor’

Naturally Dwarf & Compact Tree • Exceptionally Large Fruit • Ideal for Containers & Small Spaces

Sale price  $149.00 Regular price  $199.00
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Bay Area–Based Nursery

We specialize in plants grown and delivered in their original pots and soil.
Because of their size and weight, our plants are not suitable for long-distance shipping and are delivered locally to ensure health and quality.

While delivery is limited to our local service area, we’re happy to support garden design and plant selection remotely.

For local plant professionals, we’re always glad to connect and explore ways to support your customers.

The Emperor Lychee is a regal and compact variety, perfectly suited for smaller spaces and container culture. True to its name, it produces impressively large, dark red fruit with a bold, bumpy texture. The flesh is thick, juicy, and sweet with a rich, classic lychee flavor. Its greatest advantage is its naturally dwarf, dense, and rounded growth habit, allowing it to bear a surprising quantity of premium fruit while remaining a manageable size. It's the ideal "king" of lychees for patios and limited garden spaces.

  • Prized for its naturally compact, dwarf growth habit, maturing at only 8-10 feet tall.

  • Produces very large, attractive fruit with deep red, spiky skin.

  • Flesh is thick, crisp, and sweet with a small seed relative to the fruit's large size.

  • An excellent candidate for long-term container growing due to its slow growth and small stature.

  • Has a very dense, rounded canopy that is highly ornamental.

  • A late-season variety, extending the lychee harvest.

Flavor Profile:

  • Flavor: Rich, sweet, and well-balanced with the classic floral lychee aroma.

  • Texture: Thick, firm, and very juicy.

  • Best Uses: An outstanding fresh-eating lychee, perfect for growing in small gardens or pots. The large fruit size makes it impressive for serving.

Knowing how we measure the size?

Knowing how we measure the size?

When browsing our plants, you may notice size terms such as Gallon, Multi, or Stand. These describe how a plant is grown, containerized, or structured at the time of sale — not just its height. Understanding these terms will help you choose the right plant for your space and expectations.

🌱 Gallon Size (Container Size)

Gallon refers to the size of the nursery container the plant is currently growing in (e.g. 1 Gallon, 5 Gallon, 15 Gallon).

  • A larger gallon size generally means:

    • A more established root system

    • A sturdier plant

    • Faster visual impact after planting

  • Example:

    • 5 Gallon: Ideal for residential gardens, easy to handle, good balance of value and maturity

    • 15 Gallon: More mature, provides quicker results in the landscape

Note: Gallon size does not guarantee a specific height, as growth varies by species.


🌳 Multi (Multi-Trunk / Multi-Branch Form)

Multi indicates the plant has multiple trunks or main stems growing from the base.

  • Commonly used for:

    • Ornamental trees

    • Feature plants

    • Japanese maples, olives, crepe myrtles, etc.

  • Why choose Multi:

    • Fuller, more sculptural appearance

    • Strong visual presence even at younger ages

    • Popular for design-focused landscapes


🌲 Stand (Single-Trunk / Standard Form)

Stand (short for Standard) refers to a single, dominant trunk with a raised or naturally formed canopy.

  • Commonly used for:

    • Shade trees

    • Street trees

    • Orchard and structural plantings

  • Why choose Stand:

    • Clean, classic tree form

    • Easier clearance for walkways and lawns

    • Preferred for long-term structure and uniformity


🌿 Choosing the Right Size

  • If you want instant impact → larger Gallon, Multi form

  • If you want long-term structure → Stand form

  • If you want flexibility and value → mid-size Gallon containers

If you’re unsure which size or form fits your project, our team is happy to help you select the best option based on your space, timeline, and design goals.

Quick facts
  • Features:Foliage: Glossy lanceolate leaves (5-7") with gray-green undersides.Flowers: Fragrant yellow-green panicles in spring.Fruit: Extra-large (1.5-2") crimson drupes with pronounced bumps.Habit: Compact, rounded evergreen with dense canopy
  • Mature Height: 8-10 ft (container), 15-20 ft (ground)
  • Mature Width: 5-8 ft
  • Growth Rate: Slow (6-12" annually
  • Light Needs: Full sun (minimum 6 hours)
  • Key Advantages:Largest commercial lychee variety.Premium dessert quality (20-24° Brix).Naturally dwarfing habit.Extended shelf life
  • Landscape Uses:Container fruit gardens..Tropical courtyards.Espalier training
FAQs

Q: How large do the fruits get?
A: 'Emperor' lychees are among the largest, often reaching the size of a small plum or golf ball, significantly bigger than common varieties.

Q: Does it really fruit well in a pot?
A: Yes, it is one of the best lychee varieties for container fruit production. Use a large pot (20+ gallons), provide ample sun and consistent feeding/watering, and you can harvest a satisfying crop from your patio.

Q: When does it ripen?
A: It is a late-season variety, typically ripening after 'Brewster' and 'Mauritius', often in July or even August in some climates.

Browse online or get recommendations

Shop by collection, or message us with photos and measurements of your space for tailored suggestions.

Place your order & schedule delivery

Choose your trees and preferred delivery window. Most Bay Area orders are delivered within about 10 business days, depending on routing and weather.

We deliver carefully to your property

Our drivers are trained to handle living plants, not just boxes. For many trees, we can set them in place near the planting site.

Grow with our ongoing support

You’ll receive basic care guidelines, and you can always reach out if you’re unsure about watering, fertilizing, or pruning.

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