Members only
Unlock the Plant Library
Care guides for 220+ plants: light, water, soil, pets, seasonal calendars and troubleshooting. Enter the password from your welcome email to get in.
Plant Profiles / Kumquat
Photos: Wikimedia Commons
Kumquat
Citrus japonica (syn. Fortunella) · Cumquat
A compact citrus with glossy leaves, fragrant flowers and small orange fruit eaten whole. Ideal for pots.
Full sunLight
Twice a weekWater
EasyCare level
Care at a glance
Light
Full sun
ShadeFull sun
6–8 hours of sun.
Water
Twice a week
DryWet
Keep evenly moist, not soggy.
Humidity
Average
LowHigh
Adaptable.
Temperature
-5–38°C (23–100°F)
CoolWarm
Hardier than most citrus.
Growth
Slow, compact
SlowFast
Grows 1–2 m in pots.
Soil
Citrus mix
LeanRich
Free-draining.
Fertiliser
Spring–autumn
RarelyOften
Citrus fertiliser.
Pet safety
Toxic
SafeToxic
Citrus oils can upset pets.
About this plant
Kumquats come from China. They stay small, fruit heavily and handle cold better than most citrus. Fruit makes great marmalade.
Best spots
Sunny balconies, doorways and courtyards.
Plant facts
| Botanical name | Citrus japonica (syn. Fortunella) |
| Family | Rutaceae |
| Origin | China |
| Plant type | Evergreen fruit tree |
| Mature size | 1–2 m |
| Growth rate | Slow |
| Flowers | Fragrant white |
| Toxicity | Toxic to pets |
| Propagation | Grafting |
Seasonal care calendar
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Flowering
Harvest
Fertilise
FloweringHarvestFertilise
Based on Southern Hemisphere seasons.
Troubleshooting
| Yellow leaves | Hungry or overwatered. |
| Fruit drop | Dry soil. |
| Curled leaves | Leaf miner. |
| Sooty leaves | Scale. |
| No fruit | Too young or shade. |
Common questions
Can you eat the skin?
Yes, whole.
Good for pots?
Yes.
Cold hardy?
More than most citrus.
Toxic?
To pets.
