Dwarf Meiwa Kumquat

Dwarf Meiwa Kumquat (Citrus japonica 'Meiwa') is the kumquat you eat whole off the tree, skin and all, and it is sweet enough that most people do. Grafted onto dwarf rootstock it holds at about 1.5m tall and 1.2m wide, small enough for a half wine barrel on a balcony. White flowers scent the courtyard and the fruit holds for months afterwards.

Why you'll love it

• The sweetest kumquat. Meiwa has a thick sweet rind and mild low acid flesh, so it goes down in one bite without the pucker of the marmalade types.
• Sized for a pot. At 1.5m by 1.2m on dwarf rootstock it stays a manageable shrub rather than a tree that outgrows the courtyard.
• Fragrant flowers and a long harvest. White blossom perfumes the whole area, bees work it hard, and ripe fruit holds on the branch for weeks.
• Tough for a citrus. Heat tolerant, drought tolerant once established and salt tolerant, so a coastal courtyard suits it.

Where it works best

Pots and containers. Use a pot at least 500mm wide and deep, with a premium mix and real drainage. Potted it settles closer to 1.2m, easy to net and easy to pick.

Balconies and courtyards. Evergreen foliage, spring perfume and orange fruit in a footprint of about a square metre.

Small gardens and feature planting. A single tree by a path or back door puts the fruit within reach, and the rounded shape holds up out of season.

Growing Dwarf Meiwa Kumquat in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun, at least six hours of direct light for a decent crop. It suits subtropical, warm temperate and Mediterranean gardens. It takes light frost only, so in cool districts grow it in a pot that can shift under cover for winter.

Soil. Free draining and slightly acidic. Citrus roots will not sit wet, so raise the bed on clay and never leave a pot standing in a full saucer. Mulch 50mm deep, kept clear of the trunk.

Water and feed. Water deeply and regularly, especially from flowering through fruit set, when a dry spell means dropped fruit. Feed a citrus fertiliser three times a year: early spring, midsummer and early autumn. Thirsty trees make small fruit.

Pruning. Little is needed. Shape lightly after harvest, take out crossing branches to open the centre, and rub off any shoots below the graft.

What to expect when it arrives

It comes in two sizes: tube stock, and 200mm plants in packs of six. Tubes are young grafted plants and the cheapest start if you are patient. The 200mm pack of six suits several pots or a small orchard row.

This is a slow grower: expect a light crop from the second or third year and a proper one after that. Plants travel upright and may drop a few leaves in transit, which is normal. Delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Read our guide to growing citrus trees in an Australian backyard.
• Compare the full citrus tree range.
• Browse other plants suited to pots.
• See what else is in our edible plants collection.

Common questions

Do you really eat the skin?

Yes, and with Meiwa that is the point. The rind is thicker and sweeter than the flesh, so the whole fruit tastes balanced rather than sour.

What size pot does it need?

At least 500mm wide and deep, in a free draining premium mix. Repot or root prune every three to four years and top dress each spring.

Do I need a second tree for pollination?

No. Kumquats are self fertile, so a single tree will set fruit on its own. Bees still help, and an open sunny spot crops more heavily than a shaded corner.

Is it safe around cats and dogs?

Citrus foliage and the oils in the skin can upset cats and dogs, causing drooling or an upset stomach if chewed in quantity. Do not leave prunings lying about with a curious pet.