Loquat
Also known as
Japanese medlar, Japanese plum, Biwa, Níspero, Nêspera, Bibasse, Pipa
Keep this plant’s care guide close at hand.
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Rhaphiolepis bibas, widely known as loquat, is an evergreen fruiting tree in the rose family (Rosaceae). Native to southeastern China and long cultivated in Japan, it forms a dense, rounded crown and typically reaches 3–7 m tall (larger in ideal conditions). Leaves are large, leathery, glossy dark green above and whitish-tomentose beneath when young, with prominent venation and serrated margins. In autumn to early winter, terminal panicles of small, white, intensely fragrant flowers appear and are attractive to pollinators. Fruit ripens late winter to spring: clusters of oval to pear-shaped, yellow to orange drupes with juicy, sweet-tart flesh and several large, glossy brown seeds. Loquat prefers well-drained, slightly acidic soils and full sun, and shows good tolerance to coastal conditions and periodic drought once established. It is grown both as an ornamental for its handsome foliage and as a productive backyard fruit tree in warm-temperate and subtropical regions.
Taxonomy
Properties & Requirements
How to care for Loquat
Water
Keep evenly moist during establishment and through flowering and fruit swell. Water deeply and infrequently, targeting the root zone every 7–10 days in warm, dry weather (containers may need 2–3 times per week). Allow the top 3–5 cm of soil to dry between waterings. Avoid waterlogging—loquat is sensitive to poorly drained soils, which promote root rot. Apply organic mulch to moderate soil moisture and temperature, adjusting frequency with rainfall and heat.
Light
Provide full sun (6–8+ hours daily) for best flowering and fruiting. Loquat tolerates light or dappled shade, especially in hot inland climates where brief afternoon shade can reduce leaf scorch and moisture stress. In containers or courtyard plantings, ensure an open, bright location and rotate periodically for even canopy development. Coastal sites are ideal; the species shows moderate salt and wind tolerance when well established.
Nutrients
Feed in early spring and again in late summer with a balanced, slow‑release fertilizer (e.g., 8‑8‑8 or a citrus/fruit tree blend). Prioritize potassium to support flowering and fruit quality, and avoid excessive nitrogen during late summer–autumn, which can reduce bloom. In alkaline soils, supplement with chelated iron and manganese to prevent chlorosis. Mulch with composted organic matter annually to improve moisture retention and soil biology, keeping mulch a few centimeters away from the trunk.
Temperature
Best in USDA Zones 8b–11. Mature trees tolerate brief dips to about −5 °C (23 °F), but flowers and young fruit are damaged around −2 to −3 °C (28–27 °F). Optimal growth occurs between 10–25 °C (50–77 °F); trees handle summer heat into the mid‑30s °C (mid‑90s °F) with adequate moisture. Position in a warm, sheltered microclimate if late frosts are common, and avoid frost pockets to ensure reliable cropping.
