How to Grow and Harvest Kumquat

If you’ve never grown kumquats before, prepare to fall in love with these tiny citrus wonders! Kumquats (Fortunella spp.) are small, oval-shaped fruits that flip the citrus script - you eat the whole thing, peel and all. The peel is sweet, the flesh is tart, and together they create the perfect tangy-sweet bite of sunshine.

These trees are compact, evergreen, and oh-so-pretty, making them perfect for small gardens, patios, or even containers. Plus, they’re surprisingly low-maintenance and can produce fruit for months at a time.

Choosing the Right Kumquat Variety

There are a few delicious types to consider:

Nagami: The most common variety, known for its classic tart-sweet flavor and oval shape.
Meiwa: Rounder and sweeter, perfect for eating fresh right off the tree.
Marumi: A smaller, cold-hardy type with a more intense citrus bite.
Fukushu (Changshou): Slightly larger fruits with a mild, sweet peel and rich aroma.

All kumquat trees are self-pollinating, so you only need one to enjoy a harvest - though two will make a beautiful mini citrus grove.

Planting Your Kumquat Tree

1. Pick the perfect spot:
Kumquats love full sun - at least 6 to 8 hours daily. They thrive in well-draining soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH.

2. Pot or ground?
If you’re in a cooler climate (below USDA Zone 8), plant your kumquat in a large pot so it can be brought indoors during frost. In warmer zones, plant it directly in the ground where it has room to grow.

3. Soil prep:
Mix in compost or organic citrus soil blend before planting. Good drainage is key - soggy roots will lead to root rot faster than you can say “tangy marmalade.”

Caring for Your Kumquat Tree

Water:
Keep the soil evenly moist but never soggy. Water deeply when the top few inches of soil dry out.

Feed:
Use a balanced organic citrus fertilizer during the growing season (spring through summer).

Prune:
Light pruning in late winter helps maintain a compact shape and improves airflow. Remove dead or crossing branches and any suckers growing from below the graft line.

Cold protection:
Kumquats can tolerate brief dips to around 20°F (-6°C), but younger trees and those in containers need extra protection. Use frost blankets or move potted trees indoors during freezes.

Harvesting Kumquats

Kumquats ripen from late fall through winter - just when most other fruit trees are sleeping. The fruits turn a bright orange when fully ripe and are best picked by hand or with small pruning shears to avoid tearing the skin.

Taste tip: Let them fully ripen on the tree for the best flavor - underripe kumquats can be quite tart.

Once harvested, they’ll keep for about two weeks at room temperature or up to a month in the refrigerator.

Food Tips & Ideas

Eat them whole! Just pop one in your mouth and enjoy the sweet peel + tart burst.
Slice into salads for a citrusy punch or candy them for a sweet treat.
Add to marmalades, chutneys, or homemade citrus-infused vinegar.
Blend into sauces or glazes for chicken, salmon, or roasted vegetables.
Dry them in slices for herbal tea blends or garnish for cocktails.

⚠️ Cautions:

Avoid overwatering - kumquats hate soggy roots.
Keep an eye out for common citrus pests like aphids or scale. Neem oil or insecticidal soap can handle minor infestations.
If you bring your kumquat indoors for winter, give it plenty of light - a grow lamp helps prevent leaf drop.