How to Grow Loquat
Eriobotrya japonica
Loquats are evergreen fruit trees with an unusual lifecycle — they flower in autumn/winter and fruit in spring. In the UK they need a warm, sheltered spot, ideally against a south-facing wall. Protect winter flowers from frost with fleece. The orange fruits are sweet and aromatic when ripe. Feed twice yearly and prune after harvest to control size. Patient gardeners are rewarded with exotic fruit from year 4-5 onwards.
Yearly Lifecycle
Care Essentials
Twice yearly — in early spring as fruit develops, and again in autumn before flowering. Use a balanced fertiliser.
Watch For
- Fire blight
- Pear scab
- Codling moth
- Frost damage to flowers
Companions
Comfrey, Lavender, Rosemary
Care Requirements
Light
Full sun, sheltered warm spot
Needs full sun and a warm, sheltered position. In the UK, best against a south-facing wall to ripen fruit reliably. Tolerates light shade but fruiting suffers.
Watering
Regular, especially when fruiting
Water regularly during fruit development in spring. Established trees tolerate some drought but consistent moisture improves fruit size and quality.
Fertilizing
Twice yearly, spring and autumn
Feed in early spring to support fruit development, and again in autumn before flowering. Use a balanced fertiliser both times.
Pruning
After harvest to control size
Prune after harvest in late spring or early summer. Thin crowded branches and remove dead wood. Can be pruned to control size without losing too much crop.
Growing Tips
Unusual timing
Loquats flower in autumn and fruit in spring — the opposite of most fruit trees. Plan frost protection for the winter flowering period.
Warm wall essential
In the UK, loquats fruit reliably only against a warm south or south-west facing wall. In open ground they make attractive ornamental trees but may not fruit.
Thin fruit clusters
Thin each cluster to 4-6 fruits for larger, better-quality loquats. Remove the smallest fruitlets in late winter.
Eat fresh or preserve quickly
Loquats don't store well. Eat fresh within a few days or make jam, chutney, or wine.
Spacing & Planting
| Plant spacing | 500 cm |
| Row spacing | 500 cm |
| Mature height | 500 cm |
| Mature spread | 400 cm |
A small to medium tree reaching 5-8m. Allow space for spreading canopy. Can be wall-trained in cooler areas.
