Nagami Kumquat Tree

Nagami Kumquat (Citrus japonica 'Nagami', also sold as Fortunella margarita) is a compact citrus that grows to about 2.5m tall and 2m wide and bears oval, orange fruit that you eat whole. The skin is sweet and the flesh is tart, a combination that makes kumquats a favourite for marmalade, preserves and cocktails. It is one of the toughest and most cold tolerant of the citrus.

Why you'll love it

• Eat the whole fruit. Sweet skin and tart juice together make a bright, zesty snack straight from the tree.
• Compact and tidy. A neat, dense evergreen, perfect for small gardens and large pots.
• Heavy cropping. Mature trees carry masses of small orange fruit through the cooler months, which also decorate the tree.
• Tougher than other citrus. Kumquats cope with cooler weather and light frost better than lemons and limes.

Where it works best

Pots on patios. A kumquat in a 40cm pot can crop for years on a sunny balcony or courtyard, and the orange fruit look as good as they taste.

Small edible gardens. Plant 2m from other shrubs and fences in full sun.

Low hedges. Plant 1.5m apart for a dense, edible hedge about 2m tall.

Growing Nagami Kumquat Tree in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun. Nagami thrives in subtropical, warm temperate and Mediterranean gardens, and tolerates a cool winter better than most citrus. Shelter young plants from frost and strong wind. Fruit fly can ruin a crop in many districts, so cover fruiting trees with exclusion netting or bag the fruit as it forms.

Soil. Free draining, slightly acidic soil with compost, or a quality citrus potting mix in containers. Avoid wet, heavy soil.

Water and feed. Water weekly through the first two summers and keep pots evenly moist, since small containers dry quickly. Feed with a citrus fertiliser every couple of months through spring and summer.

Pruning. Little is needed. Trim lightly after harvest to shape the plant, and remove any shoots growing from below the graft.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Nagami Kumquat Tree as 200mm pots in packs of 6, 300mm and 400mm pots, and 100 litre bag. The 200mm pack holds six young plants, useful for a hedge, while the 300mm and 400mm pots and the 100 litre bag are single trees, with the bag an advanced tree with an established canopy and often fruit. Plants travel upright and wrapped.

Our growers do not hold every size all year, so a size can show as on backorder at times. An order for a backorder size is confirmed with you before anything ships.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Browse citrus and fruit
• Growing citrus trees in your backyard
• Plants that grow well in pots

Common questions

Do I eat the skin?

Yes. The skin is sweet and the flesh is sour, so you eat the whole fruit, spitting out the odd seed.

Do I need two trees?

No. Nagami is self fertile.

Can I grow it in a pot?

Yes, and it does very well in one. Use a large container with good drainage and feed regularly.