When to Plant Longan in Perth, Mediterranean Guide
What this month normally looks like in Mediterranean
In October the Mediterranean zone normally runs 22°C by day and 10°C overnight, with about 38 mm of rain over 6 or 7 wet days. The coldest October night on record across the zone was -0.2°C, so a late frost is not out of the question. Averages 1991 to 2026, 19 postcodes, SILO.
Jump to section
This Longan guide is written for the Mediterranean zone, which takes in Perth, Adelaide and Bunbury. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.
Not your zone? Cairns Brisbane Sydney Melbourne Canberra Alice Springs
Also handy: will it frost this week? and what grows in shade.
- Planting window
- Sep to Nov
- Sun
- Full sun
- Soil pH
- 6.6–7.3
Longan is a hardy evergreen relative of lychee, growing 10 to 20 m unpruned or 3 to 4 m kept small, and is more cold and wind tolerant than lychee (Daleys).
Published · By GardenBuddy.au
Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Best Planting Window for Mediterranean
- Jan -
- Feb -
- Mar -
- Apr -
- May -
- Jun -
- Jul -
- Aug -
- Sep P
- Oct P
- Nov P
- Dec -
P = Planting window
You might be able to grow it here under the right conditions. Daleys reviews come from Gawler SA with seven varieties, Mount Barker WA where light frost was fine and Leschenault WA where one tree fruited quickly and another gave nothing in ten years, and seedlings are advised for marginal climates. No source gives harvest months for this zone, so none are listed. Plant in spring and water well through summer.
Want a nudge when it is sowing time?
One email a week with what is worth planting in the Mediterranean zone right now, Longan included, plus which veg has jumped in price at the supermarket. Free, and you can stop it in one click.
How to Grow Longan in Mediterranean Australia
- Soil
- Well drained soil with high soil moisture (Daleys). Intolerant of salt (IFAS).
- Salt
- Sensitive. Struggles with salty bore water or salty soil. Give it rainwater if you can.
- pH Range
- 6.6-7.3
- Sunlight
- Full sun with wind protection for young trees (Daleys review).
- Keep away from
- Salty soil or bore water (IFAS), Windy exposed sites for young trees (Daleys review)
Mediterranean Growing Tips for Longan
Recommended Varieties
- Seedling trees for marginal climates (Daleys)
- Kohala (Daleys)
Key Challenges
- Irregular bearing
- Dry summer
Pro Tips
- Mulch and water deeply through summer
- Be patient; some trees take ten years (Daleys review)
Pests and problems for Longan in Mediterranean
Harvesting Longan
When ready: Skin turns yellow brown to tan and the flesh tastes sweet; fruit does not sweeten after picking (Daleys; IFAS).
How to harvest: Cut whole panicles with secateurs and keep the fruit on the stem (IFAS).
What members get
- Soil and weather from your nearest station
- An email when it's time to sow
- Your own garden plan, including planning from a photo
- Price history and price alerts
- Pest risk alerts for your area
- Full salt and canning detail
Common Questions About Longan
When do you plant longan in Australia?
It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:
- Tropical (Cairns): Jan to Mar, Nov to Dec
- Subtropical (Brisbane): Jan to Feb, Sep to Dec
- Warm Temperate (Sydney): Sep to Nov
- Cool Temperate (Melbourne): not recommended
- Cold / Highland (Canberra): not recommended
- Arid / Semi-Arid (Alice Springs): not recommended
- Mediterranean (Perth): Sep to Nov
When should I plant Longan in Perth?
You might be able to grow it here under the right conditions. Daleys reviews come from Gawler SA with seven varieties, Mount Barker WA where light frost was fine and Leschenault WA where one tree fruited quickly and another gave nothing in ten years, and seedlings are advised for marginal climates. No source gives harvest months for this zone, so none are listed. Plant in spring and water well through summer.
How do I know when Longan are ready to harvest?
Skin turns yellow brown to tan and the flesh tastes sweet; fruit does not sweeten after picking (Daleys; IFAS).
What are the best Longan varieties for Perth?
Recommended varieties for the Mediterranean zone include: Seedling trees for marginal climates (Daleys), Kohala (Daleys).
Are longan salt tolerant?
No. Longan are salt-sensitive, one of the more sensitive veggies. Use rainwater if your bore water is salty, or grow them in a raised bed of fresh mix if your soil is.
Which zone am I in?
Type your postcode into the box near the top of the page and it tells you, and links this crop in your own zone if it differs. Or look it up on the grow zone map. This page is the Mediterranean zone, Perth is its reference city.