Fumatus Lychee Plant Care
Dimocarpus fumatus (Blume) Leenh.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Dimocarpus fumatus is an Asian tree species in the family Sapindaceae.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–85°F
50–80%
At a glance
How do you care for Fumatus Lychee?
Plant Fumatus Lychee in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 13a) and water a young tree every 7–14 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 60–85°F (16–29°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
What Is the Fumatus Lychee?
Fumatus Lychee (Dimocarpus fumatus) belongs to the Sapindaceae family within the Dimocarpus genus.
Fumatus Lychee displays a medium-sized evergreen tree growth habit, reaching up to 30 ft tall with a spread of approximately 20 ft. Fumatus Lychee produces small white flowers in clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Fumatus Lychee?
Water a young or newly planted Fumatus Lychee every 7–14 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–14 days
Until established; then in dry spells
What Light Does the Fumatus Lychee Need?
Fumatus Lychee thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Fumatus Lychee Prefer?
Dimocarpus fumatus tolerates temperatures of 60–85°F. Fumatus Lychee prefers humidity levels of 50–80%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
60–85°F
Humidity
50–80%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Fumatus Lychee?
Well-draining loamy soil with added organic matter for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Fumatus Lychee to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Fumatus Lychee?
Feed Fumatus Lychee every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.
Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
Where Should You Plant a Fumatus Lychee?
Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining loamy soil with added organic matter for nutrients. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Fumatus Lychee is suited to USDA Zone 13a.
Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.
How Far Apart Should You Plant a Fumatus Lychee?
Fumatus Lychee can spread to about 20 ft (6.1 m) and reach about 30 ft (9 m) tall. Space plants about 20 ft (6.1 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.
Planning a row or hedge? Try the tree spacing calculator.
How Do You Prune a Fumatus Lychee?
Prune Fumatus Lychee while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.
If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the tree in one year.
How Do You Care for a Fumatus Lychee in Winter?
Fumatus Lychee is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 13). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.
How Do You Propagate a Fumatus Lychee?
Fumatus Lychee can be propagated through seeds, air-layering. Similar propagation techniques also apply to australian lychee plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Fumatus Lychee Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Fumatus Lychee, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Fumatus Lychee?
Fumatus Lychee is susceptible to aphids, scale insects, mealybugs. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Fumatus Lychee Need?
Fumatus Lychee grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. In cooler regions, grow Fumatus Lychee as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Fumatus Lychee is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Dimocarpus genus — compare its care with other Dimocarpus species on PlantoScan.
Dimocarpus is part of the Sapindaceae plant family — browse all Sapindaceae genera and species.
Fumatus Lychee thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Dimocarpus fumatus (Blume) Leenh., family Sapindaceae (first published in Blumea 19: 49 (1971)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Fumatus Lychee, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
