With their small golden-orange, oval or round, mouth-popping fruits and glossy leaves, Kumquats are prized as ornamental shrubs and container plants. Fragrant white flowers bloom in spring or early summer and fruits follow in late winter or early spring. Unlike many other Citrus, the branches are thornless and although the fruits are small, they can be eaten whole, peel and pulp if raised organically! ‘Nagami’ has a sweet peel, but a sour pulp and ‘Meiwa’ has both a sweet peel and pulp. Use in piquant sauces, marmalades and preserves. And during Chinese New Year, the tree is popular as an omen of good fortune because its fruits resemble golden coins. Gung hay fat choy! (means “Wishing you great joy and prosperity”).
Spring flowers; fruits in late winter or early spring
Full sun
Water regularly every 10-14 days to keep soil moist, not soggy
Not necessary except to remove suckers that emerge below the graft line or to prune for shape shortly after fruits are harvested
Hardy in zones 9-11
Plant in spring after the last day of frost
Provide humus- or mulch-amended, well-draining, slightly acidic soil; for containers, use a well-draining potting mix formulated for Citrus
8 ft. x 6 ft.
