When to Plant Lychee 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.
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This Lychee 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 to part shade
- Soil pH
- 6.6–7.3
Lychee is a slow growing evergreen tree grown for its sweet, juicy fruit with a rough red skin. It wants a frost free site, shelter from wind and regular water.
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
No Mediterranean climate source. Cool winters near 10°C suit flowering (RFC) but summers need regular water, shelter from drying wind and frost protection for young trees (Bunnings, Love The Garden). Treat it as a large pot or a sheltered coastal spot. Fruit months are our estimate.
Want a nudge when it is sowing time?
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How to Grow Lychee in Mediterranean Australia
- Soil
- Deep, free draining soil enriched with compost or decomposed manure (Bunnings). Slightly acidic soil (Love The Garden).
- 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, sheltered from strong winds (Love The Garden). Young trees do better in part shade and shade cloth at first (Bunnings).
- Keep away from
- Frost pockets, Windy exposed spots
Mediterranean Growing Tips for Lychee
Recommended Varieties
- Wai Chee (semi dwarf, self pollinating, Daleys)
Key Challenges
- Frost on young trees
- Hot dry summers need steady water
Pro Tips
- Large pot in a sheltered spot
- Net against birds
Pests and problems for Lychee in Mediterranean
Harvesting Lychee
When ready: Harvest when the skin is fully red or pink. Fruit does not ripen after picking (Love The Garden).
How to harvest: Pick whole clusters in the morning (Love The Garden).
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 Lychee
When do you plant lychee in Australia?
It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:
- Tropical (Cairns): Apr to Sep
- Subtropical (Brisbane): Apr to Sep
- 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 Lychee in Perth?
No Mediterranean climate source. Cool winters near 10°C suit flowering (RFC) but summers need regular water, shelter from drying wind and frost protection for young trees (Bunnings, Love The Garden). Treat it as a large pot or a sheltered coastal spot. Fruit months are our estimate.
How do I know when Lychee are ready to harvest?
Harvest when the skin is fully red or pink. Fruit does not ripen after picking (Love The Garden).
What are the best Lychee varieties for Perth?
Recommended varieties for the Mediterranean zone include: Wai Chee (semi dwarf, self pollinating, Daleys).
Are lychee salt tolerant?
No. Lychee 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.