Japanese Loquat Tree

Light Needs

Partial Sun to Full Sun

(At Least 5 Hours of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

15-20 Feet

Mature Spread

12-15 Feet

Growing Zones

4-11 indoors / 8-11 outdoors

A beautiful, fruiting evergreen with glossy, tropical-looking leaves, Japanese Loquat delivers fragrant fall blooms and clusters of sweet, apricot-like fruit in late spring. Compact enough for small yards and containers yet productive in the ground, it adds four-season foliage, pollinator-friendly flowers, and a delicious harvest to patios, courtyards, and Mediterranean-style gardens.

Japanese Loquat Care

Plant in full sun for best flowering and fruiting (light afternoon shade in hot climates). Provide well-drained, fertile soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH; avoid heavy, waterlogged sites. Water deeply and consistently the first 1–2 seasons; once established, loquat is moderately drought tolerant—water during dry spells from bloom through fruit fill.

Mulch 2–3" to conserve moisture and protect shallow roots. Feed in early spring and midsummer with a balanced, slow-release citrus/fruit-tree fertilizer. Prune after harvest to thin congested interior shoots and maintain height; remove cold-damaged wood in spring.

Loquat is generally self-fertile, but a second tree can improve yield. Protect flowers/young fruit from hard freezes with frost cloth. Hardy in USDA Zones ~8–10. Note: Seeds and young leaves contain cyanogenic compounds—do not ingest.

Japanese Loquat Spacing

As a specimen, allow 12–15 feet from buildings and other trees for airflow and light penetration. In small home orchards, space 15–20 feet on center; for espaliers along a warm wall, 8–10 feet works well. In containers, use one plant per pot—start with an 18–24"+ diameter container with excellent drainage, and place pots 2–3 feet apart for access and airflow.

Why Grow Japanese Loquat?

• Evergreen beauty with glossy foliage and fragrant fall/winter blooms

• Sweet, juicy fruit ripening late spring—great fresh, in jams, or desserts

• Compact, manageable size for small yards, patios, and containers

• Self-fertile with improved crops when cross-pollinated

• Heat and drought tolerant once established; low maintenance with seasonal pruning

• Adds Mediterranean flair and four-season interest

An elegant, fruiting evergreen that earns its keep—Japanese Loquat brings fragrance, flavor, and year-round good looks to landscapes and large containers alike.

SKU:

EDB-JAP-LOQ-LGL