Mauritius Lychee Tree – Air-Layered

Product description

Bring a much-loved summer fruit to your garden with Mauritius Lychee Tree. Its pink-to-red fruit peels open to reveal juicy white flesh—a refreshing treat to enjoy chilled, share with family, or add to a fruit salad.

Our Mauritius Lychee trees are propagated by air layering to preserve the named variety. Explore available sizes at The Island Gardeners, with Palm Bay pickup near Melbourne, Florida, and nationwide shipping to eligible destinations.

Why grow Mauritius lychee?

• A widely grown Florida cultivar with a reputation for good production.
• Attractive fruit clusters and evergreen foliage.
• Sweet fruit for fresh eating and frozen desserts.
• Air-layered nursery stock to preserve cultivar characteristics.

Origin and other names

The botanical name is Litchi chinensis 'Mauritius', in the soapberry family, Sapindaceae. Its background traces to southern China; the cultivar takes its name from the island of Mauritius, where it has long been grown commercially. UF/IFAS also lists Tai So, Da Zao, and Hong Huey as other names. Lychee is also spelled litchi.

Fruit size, flavor, and texture

Your photographs show oval to slightly heart-shaped fruit with textured pink-red shells. UF/IFAS rates Mauritius fruit as medium-to-large within lychee cultivars. Actual dimensions vary with crop load and growing conditions; this listing does not promise an exact fruit weight.

The edible translucent white aril is succulent and sweet, with a light tang and floral character. Peel away the shell and remove the brown seed before eating. Seed size varies, and occasional fruit may have a small, shriveled seed; Mauritius is not sold as a seedless or consistently small-seeded variety.

Tree growth and size

Mauritius is a vigorous cultivar with a spreading habit. Give it room to develop and use selective pruning after harvest to manage the canopy. Lychee trees can reach around 40 feet if left unpruned, so plan placement carefully rather than treating Mauritius as naturally dwarf.

Choose a position sheltered from strong wind. Container growing requires sufficient root space and ongoing care; it is not a substitute for long-term canopy planning.

Planting and care

Plant in full sun with good drainage. Water regularly while the tree establishes and maintain adequate moisture during flowering and fruit development. Adjust irrigation to rainfall and avoid waterlogged roots. Feed according to tree size, product directions, and local guidance; excessive feeding can encourage foliage at the expense of flowering.

Protect young trees from frost and freezing conditions in Central Florida. Inspect new foliage and flowers for pests, including signs of lychee erinose mite. Consult local Extension guidance when new growth becomes distorted or blistered. Fruit spotting and rots can occur in wet weather.

Florida harvest and My Food Forest

Florida planning window: May–June. Mauritius is generally among the earlier commercial lychees. Local weather, bloom timing, and tree maturity affect the actual harvest, so calendar dates should be treated as estimates.

Allow fruit to ripen on the tree. Clip mature clusters carefully and enjoy promptly after peeling and removing seeds. Harvesting immature fruit will not provide the same sweetness and eating quality.

Use our Harvest Calendar and My Food Forest tools to compare Mauritius with your other fruit trees, identify overlaps, and plan a more varied harvest. Record your own flowering and picking dates to refine the calendar for your location. Scan the Harvest Calendar QR on the product image to explore the tool.

Plant at a glance

Frequently asked questions

Are your Mauritius Lychee trees air-layered?
Yes. All our lychee trees are propagated by air layering to preserve their named varieties.

Will Mauritius produce every year?
It is known for more regular production than some lychee cultivars, but weather and tree conditions still affect flowering and yields. Annual crops are not guaranteed.

Does it have a small seed?
Some fruit may develop small, aborted seeds, but full-size seeds are common. Remove seeds before eating.

Do I need two trees?
A single lychee tree can set fruit. Cross-pollination may improve fruit set under some conditions.

Is it dwarf?
No dwarf habit is claimed. Mauritius is vigorous and needs room and regular pruning if a smaller canopy is desired.

When will it begin bearing?
That depends on tree maturity, establishment, and growing conditions. Air layering preserves the variety, but does not guarantee fruit on arrival or within a fixed period.

Can I order outside Florida?
Nationwide shipping is offered to eligible destinations, subject to plant-entry restrictions, selected size, weather, and checkout availability. Confirm that your climate or protected growing setup suits lychee.

What size tree will I receive?
Choose from the current variants and check their actual nursery specifications. Fruit photos illustrate the cultivar rather than the individual tree shipped. Palm Bay pickup is available near Melbourne, Florida.

Plan your next lychee harvest

Choose an available air-layered Mauritius Lychee Tree at TheIslandGardeners.com.