Kumquats and Calamondins

How to choose a kumquat or calamondin

The Nagami Kumquat Tree has oval, orange fruit with a sweet skin and a sour centre, and is the classic form. The Kumquat Tree is another tidy selection. The Meiwa Kumquat is rounder, with sweeter flesh and fewer seeds, and the Dwarf Meiwa Kumquat stays smaller again, which suits a pot.

The Calamondin Tree is a cross of mandarin and kumquat. Its small, round fruit is tart, and is used like a lime in drinks, marmalade and cooking.

Where kumquats grow

Kumquats are among the hardiest citrus. They grow in the subtropics, in warm and mild temperate climates and even in cooler areas in a sheltered, sunny spot, and they take light frost better than most citrus. Their small size, usually one and a half to three metres, makes them an obvious choice for a pot, a balcony or a garden bed beside a path.

Explore the wider citrus range and our plants for pots, or the edible plants you can grow alongside them.

Kumquats are among the most decorative of the citrus. In a pot they form a neat ball of glossy leaves, and the bright orange fruit stands out against it for months. They are traditionally grown as a lucky plant for the Lunar New Year, and they make a good gift or a courtyard feature near the entry.

The fruit is the star of the kitchen: slice it into salads, candy it, pickle it or turn it into marmalade and chutney.

Planting and spacing

Plant in spring or early autumn in full sun with free draining soil. Space trees about two metres apart, or less for a hedge. In a pot, use a container at least 40 centimetres across with drainage holes, and a quality citrus potting mix. Keep the graft above the soil.

Care basics

Water regularly, because pots dry out quickly, and mulch in the ground. Feed with a citrus fertiliser through the warmer months, and prune lightly after harvest to keep the shape tidy. Look out for scale, aphids and leaf miner. Potted trees benefit from fresh potting mix every two or three years. Our guide to growing citrus trees in your backyard covers pests and feeding.

Kumquats flower late in summer, so the fruit ripens through the cooler months. Trees often carry flowers and fruit at the same time, and the white blossom has a light scent.

Common questions

Can you eat the whole kumquat?

Yes. The skin is sweet and the flesh is tart, so most people eat the fruit whole, spitting out any seeds.

When do kumquats fruit?

Mainly in autumn and winter, though the fruit can hang on the tree for months.

What is a calamondin used for?

Its sour juice is used like lime or lemon, for drinks, marmalade and cooking, and the tree makes a good ornamental pot plant.

How big does a kumquat grow?

Usually one and a half to three metres, and less in a pot, depending on the variety.