Kumquat
Citrus japonica
fruitKumquat is the small oblong citrus you eat skin and all: the sweet tender peel balances the sour-tart pulp inside for a flavor unlike any other citrus, often eaten whole as a sweet-sour candy. The compact tree (4 to 8 ft) is naturally cold-hardier than most citrus and one of the most container-friendly fruits for cold-climate gardeners.
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Sun
full sun
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Water
Every 5 days
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Harvest
~24 months
to first harvest
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Difficulty
easy
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Lifecycle
perennial
Comes back every year
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Spacing
8-12 ft in ground; mid-size pot for container culture
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Planting Depth
Same depth as nursery container; do not bury graft
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Soil pH
6.0-7.0
Growing Details
Soil Type
Rich, well-draining
Hardiness Zones
Zones 8 – 12
When to Fertilize
Every 4-6 weeks during active growth
Fertilizer
Citrus fertilizer with micronutrients (8-8-8)
🌱 Growing Guide
Plant in full sun on well-drained slightly acidic soil. Hardy in zones 8 to 11; mature kumquats tolerate brief dips into the upper 20s F. In colder zones grow in a 12 to 15 in container. Set at the same depth as the nursery; never bury the graft. Self-pollinating. Kumquats bloom and fruit in late summer through winter, with fruit holding on the tree for weeks once ripe.
Planting Calendar
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Direct sow
Apr 15
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Projected first harvest
Nov 1 · Year 3
JJan
FFeb
MMar
AApr
MMay
JJun
JJul
AAug
SSep
OOct
NNov
DDec
Year 1
✅ Plant alongside
Good neighbors that attract beneficial insects or deter pests
- Marigolds: Suppress nematodes in the root zone
- Lavender: Attracts pollinators and repels citrus pests
- Basil: Aromatic foliage may discourage citrus leafminer
- Comfrey: Mineral mulch returning potassium
🛡️ Pest & disease prevention
Proactive ways to stop trouble before it starts. Tap a name with an arrow for its full guide
Limit pruning; horticultural oil on new flushes
Encourage ladybugs, blast with water
Dormant oil in late winter
Mist foliage in dry indoor air
🌾 Harvest & storage
Kumquats ripen from late autumn through early spring; pick when the fruit turns bright orange and easily separates from the stem with a gentle twist. The signature way to eat fresh: pop the whole fruit in your mouth, bite, and savor the contrast of sweet peel and sour flesh. Pickle whole fruit in salt and lemon (Moroccan style), candy in sugar syrup, or chop into salads and marmalade.
🥗 Nutrition & benefits
About 71 calories per 100 g with 6.5 g fiber, 43.9 mg vitamin C (73 percent of DV), and 186 mg potassium. Because you eat the whole fruit, kumquats deliver dramatically more fiber and peel-oils (citrus essential oils linked to antimicrobial activity) than other citrus.
For educational and informational purposes only. HomeSown is not medical, health, or other professional advice. Always positively identify any plant before handling or eating it; some plants, and some parts of otherwise-edible plants, are toxic. Consult a qualified professional before consuming or otherwise using any plant, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a health condition.