Here’s a full description of the Ruby Longan plant:
🌳 Ruby Longan Plant (Dimocarpus longan ‘Ruby’)
The Ruby Longan, also known as Scarlett's Ruby Longan, is a rare and visually striking cultivar of the longan fruit tree (Dimocarpus longan), grown for both its ornamental beauty and delicious fruits.
🔍 General Description:
Common Name: Ruby Longan
Scientific Name: Dimocarpus longan ‘Ruby’
Family: Sapindaceae (same as lychee, rambutan)
Origin: Southeast Asia; now grown in India, Thailand, Indonesia, and tropical regions worldwide.
🌿 Plant Characteristics:
Type: Tropical/subtropical evergreen fruit tree
Height: 3–6 meters (10–20 feet) in cultivation
Canopy: Broad, rounded, and dense
Growth Habit: Upright, moderate to fast-growing
Leaves:
Pinnately compound
Young leaves may be reddish-bronze
Mature leaves are dark green and glossy
🌸 Flowers:
Color: Pale yellow to cream
Form: Small, star-shaped, borne in terminal panicles
Bloom Time: Spring to early summer
Pollination: Insect-pollinated
🍒 Fruit Description:
Shape: Round to slightly oval
Size: About 3–4 cm in diameter
Skin: Thin, smooth, glossy ruby-red skin (a key difference from standard brown longans)
Flesh: Translucent white, juicy and sweet with floral aroma
Seed: Small dark brown; some grafted types are near-seedless or seedless
🌱 Growing Conditions:
Requirement Details
Climate Tropical to subtropical (USDA 9–11)
Light Full sun is essential
Soil Well-drained loam or sandy soil, pH 5.5–7.0
Water Moderate to regular; do not waterlog
Fertilizer Balanced fertilizer monthly; more phosphorus and potassium during fruiting
Temperature Sensitive to frost; prefers 20–35°C
⏳ Fruit Bearing:
Time to Fruit:
Grafted or air-layered plants: 1–3 years
Seed-grown: 5–6 years
Harvest Season: Late summer to early autumn
Yield: High when mature; fruits in clusters
✅ Special Features:
Ornamental Appeal: Bright red fruits contrast beautifully against deep green foliage
Container Friendly: Can be grown in large pots (tabulampot style)
Edible Landscaping: Combines beauty and productivity
Health Benefits: Rich in vitamin C, antioxidants; used in traditional medicine for calming and rejuvenation
📌 Summary:
The Ruby Longan is a standout tropical fruit tree that offers lush foliage, stunning red fruits, and sweet, juicy flesh. It’s ideal for home gardens, collectors of rare fruits, or as an eye-catching edible landscape feature in warm climates.