Sweetheart Lychee

Sweetheart Lychee

15 Gallon
$199.00
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Sweetheart Lychee
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Sweetheart Lychee

Litchi chinensis ‘Sweetheart’

High Flesh-to-Seed Ratio ("Chicken Tongue" Seed) • Intense Honey-Sweet Flavor • Reliable Producer

$199.00

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Sweetheart Lychee

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Description

The Sweetheart Lychee is a prized variety, celebrated for its exceptionally high flesh-to-seed ratio and exquisite honeyed sweetness. True to its name, its heart-shaped fruits contain a notably small "chicken tongue" seed, allowing for a greater portion of the coveted juicy, translucent white flesh. The flavor is intensely sweet with a pure, floral, and honey-like character, making each fruit a luxurious treat. While it can grow tall, its upright and spreading habit allows it to be managed as a prolific centerpiece tree for the subtropical garden.

  • Renowned for its very small "chicken tongue" seed, resulting in a high percentage of delicious edible flesh.

  • Flavor is exceptionally sweet, clean, and floral with distinct honey notes.

  • Fruit is medium-sized, heart-shaped, with bright red, slightly bumpy skin that's easy to peel.

  • A reliable and consistent producer once established.

  • Tree has an upright, spreading growth habit with a somewhat open canopy, reaching 15-25 ft if unpruned.

  • Performs best in consistently warm, humid subtropical climates.

Flavor Profile:

  • Flavor: Intensely sweet and aromatic, with a pure honey and rosewater flavor and very low acidity.

  • Texture: Crisp, firm, and extraordinarily juicy—the juice literally bursts in your mouth.

  • Best Uses: The ultimate premium fresh-eating lychee, best enjoyed chilled straight from the shell. Also excellent in fruit salads or desserts.

Quick Facts

Processed facts

  • Light: Full sun (minimum 8 hours)

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  • Features:Foliage: Lanceolate leaves (4-8") with leathery texture, prominent venation.Flowers: Panicles of small greenish-yellow blossoms with honey fragrance.Fruit: Heart-shaped drupes with pink-red, bumpy rind.Habit: Upright evergreen with weeping fruit clusters
  • Mature Height: 15-25 ft (prune maintained)
  • Mature Width: 10-15 ft
  • Growth Rate: Moderate to fast
  • Key Advantages:Highest flesh-to-seed ratio (75-80% edible).Exceptionally juicy texture.Reliable biennial bearing.Showy ornamental value
  • Landscape Uses:Tropical fruit orchards.Specimen shade trees.Avenue plantings

Faqs

Q: What is a "chicken tongue" seed?
A: It's a term for an aborted or very small, shriveled seed that is often soft and edible. This trait is highly desirable as it means more edible, sweet flesh in every fruit.

Q: Is it sweeter than other lychees?
A: Yes, 'Sweetheart' is consistently noted for its very high sugar content and clean, honeyed sweetness, often ranking among the sweetest of all lychee varieties.

Q: Can it be grown in a container long-term?
A: Not ideally. While young trees can be container-grown, they are vigorous and will eventually become root-bound and stressed, affecting fruit production. It is best planted in the ground where it can establish a strong root system.

📍 Primary Delivery Area · San Francisco Bay Area

Local delivery across the Bay Area — and beyond.

San Francisco Bay Area is our primary local delivery market. Victory Nursery also serves additional California markets and selected extended delivery areas by arrangement.

Regular local delivery: San Francisco, Peninsula, South Bay, East Bay, Marin, Tracy / Mountain House and surrounding service areas.

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