How to Grow Loquat
Eriobotrya japonica
An evergreen tree that blooms in the cold months, which is exactly why marginal zones get leaves and no fruit.
By the Plants by Zone Editorial Team · Reviewed June 1, 2026
About loquat
Loquats are handsome, evergreen trees that flower in late autumn or winter and ripen fruit the following spring — an unusual cycle that sets their climate limits. The tree itself is fairly hardy and tolerates a light freeze, but its open winter blossoms and developing fruit are not, so a single hard frost during bloom or fruit-set can wipe out the entire crop even though the tree survives untouched. Where winters stay mild, loquats are otherwise easy, attractive, and productive.
When to plant and harvest loquat
Timing is relative to your frost dates. Find your USDA zone for exact dates, or browse the month-by-month calendars.
Start seeds indoors
Not applicable — plant a grafted nursery tree
Transplant outdoors
Spring, once frost danger has passed
Direct sow
Not applicable
Harvest
Spring, several months after winter bloom
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How to grow loquat step by step
- 1
Plant a grafted nursery tree in spring in a sheltered, sunny spot — a south-facing wall helps buffer winter cold in borderline zones.
- 2
Water regularly the first year or two to establish a deep root system, then taper off; established trees tolerate some drought.
- 3
In the coldest part of its range, choose the warmest microclimate you have and be prepared to lose the crop in a hard-freeze winter even though the tree lives on.
- 4
Thin heavy fruit clusters in spring for larger loquats and to avoid limb strain.
- 5
Prune lightly after harvest to control size — loquats can reach considerable height if left unchecked.
- 6
Net ripening fruit if birds are a problem; loquats color early and draw attention fast.
Common problems growing loquat
⚠ Tree blooms and looks healthy but never fruits
A winter freeze during flowering or fruit-set is the usual cause in marginal zones — the tree survives frost that its open blossoms and young fruit cannot.
⚠ Fruit is small or sparse
Thin clusters after fruit set and make sure the tree gets consistent water while fruit is sizing.
⚠ Blackened shoot tips (fireblight)
Loquats can get fireblight; prune out affected wood well below the damage and sterilize tools between cuts.
⚠ Birds strip the crop
Net the tree or individual clusters as fruit begins to color.
✓ Good companions for loquat
✗ Keep away from
🧺 Harvesting loquat
Let loquats ripen fully on the tree — they turn from green to yellow-orange and soften slightly, and unlike many tree fruits they do not continue to sweeten after picking. Pick with the stem attached in small clusters, and expect the sweetest fruit from trees that had a mild, uninterrupted bloom season.
Loquat: frequently asked questions
When should you plant loquat?＋
In most regions you transplant spring, once frost danger has passed. Timing is relative to your last frost, so find your USDA hardiness zone for the exact planting dates where you live.
Why does my loquat tree never produce fruit?＋
Loquats bloom in late fall or winter, so in cooler parts of their range a freeze during flowering or early fruit development kills the crop for the year even though the tree itself is undamaged.
Can loquats survive frost?＋
The mature tree tolerates brief light freezes, but its winter flowers and developing fruit are much more frost-sensitive and are usually what gets lost, not the tree.
Sources & review
Written and maintained by the Plants by Zone Editorial Team. Planting times are based on USDA hardiness zones and NOAA frost-date normals, with care guidance drawn from Cooperative Extension sources. Last reviewed June 1, 2026.
USDA Plant Hardiness Zone MapNOAA U.S. climate normalsCooperative Extension
Grow loquat in your zone
See exactly when to plant and what else to grow alongside loquat, tailored to your USDA hardiness zone.
