Sweetheart Lychee Tree | Small-Seed Sweet Lychee Variety

Sweetheart Lychee

5 Gallon

$199.00

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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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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 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.

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.

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
Light Needs: Full sun (minimum 8 hours)
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

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.