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The loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) is an attractive, fast growing evergreen fruit tree that produces clusters of small, orange pear-shaped fruits with a sweet yet tart flavor Loquats are great for warm climate gardens and make an unusual addition to any edible landscape But where can you find a healthy loquat tree for sale? Here are some of the best sources to buy your new loquat.
Mail Order Loquat Nurseries
Ordering a loquat tree online from a specialty fruit nursery allows you to access the widest selection of cultivars from across the country. Reputable nurseries dig up and ship bareroot trees in winter while the plants are dormant. Here are some top mail order sources for loquat trees:
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Willis Orchards – Georgia-based company with over 200 varieties of fruit trees including a nice selection of loquats Good prices on smaller starter trees.
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Stark Bro’s – One of the largest online nurseries, offering the popular ‘Big Jim’ loquat cultivar Low prices on bundle deals
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Raintree Nursery – Based in Washington, they carry unique and hard-to-find loquat varieties suitable for western climates.
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Burnt Ridge Nursery – Specializes in unusual edibles, fruits, and nuts. Offers several loquat cultivars ideal for containers or small spaces.
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One Green World – Family-owned nursery in Oregon offering many organic growing supplies. Good selection of loquat varieties including tropical types.
When ordering online request the smallest tree size (usually 3-4 feet) to reduce transplant shock. Bareroot trees should arrive in early spring once the chance of freezing temperatures has passed.
Local Nurseries
Finding a loquat tree at your local independent nursery will provide the advantage of selecting the specific tree in person. You can inspect roots, branching structure, graft union, etc. Large chain garden centers are less likely to carry loquats. Here are some tips for sourcing locally:
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Consult your county or state extension office for a list of recommended retail nurseries in your area
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Search for independently owned nurseries near you through Google Maps and visit their websites
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Call ahead to confirm availability and check if preordering is recommended for specialty trees
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Visit the nursery in early spring when new shipments arrive and selection is best
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Inspect trees for overall health, good scaffold branching, and grafting at 4-6 inches above soil
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For containers, choose a 3-5 gallon size dwarf variety suitable for pots
Buying locally is your best option if you need large, mature loquat trees. Shipping big trees is challenging and costly.
What to Look For
When selecting your loquat tree, here are some important traits to look for:
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Root system – Should be well established but not excessively root bound. Avoid any circling or girdling roots.
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Trunk – Straight, uniform thickness, no significant scarring or discoloration.
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Scaffold branches – Ideally 3-5 wide-angled branches spaced evenly up trunk.
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Leaves – Healthy green leaves, no browning, spots, or signs of disease.
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Graft union – Bulge just above roots, no long exposed trunk below.
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Chill hours – Confirm the variety matches your climate’s chill hour requirements.
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Dwarf cultivars – For pots and small spaces, look for dwarf loquats like ‘Little Ruby’.
Starting with the healthiest tree from a reputable source will set your loquat up for success.
Caring for Newly Planted Loquats
Getting your new loquat tree off to a vigorous start requires careful planting and initial care:
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Unpack bareroot tree immediately upon arrival and avoid letting roots dry out
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Plant in well draining soil in a sheltered, sunny location with space for growth
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Dig wide planting hole only as deep as root ball and score sides to ease growth outward
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Set root ball on firmly packed soil to prevent settling, keeping graft union 2″ above grade
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Water thoroughly after planting and add organic compost mulch layer to retain moisture
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Stake trunk of standard trees to prevent wind damage but avoid excess movement restriction
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Prune any damaged branches and potentially remove lower branches for canopy development
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Apply high phosphorus fertilizer monthly the first year to stimulate root establishment
With proper care after transplanting, your new loquat should begin growing rapidly in its first season.
Enjoy the Bounty of Homegrown Loquats
There’s no substitute for harvesting bucketloads of golden, fuzzy loquats straight from your own backyard tree. Loquats are among the easiest, low maintenance fruits to grow in mild winter climates. A mature tree can produce over 100 pounds of tangy-sweet loquats while illuminating the garden with their tropical foliage. With so many excellent mail order and local nursery options, every warm climate gardener should plant one of these exotic beauties. Just do your research, select healthy stock, provide attentive early care, and you’ll be reaping abundant harvests for years to come.
Turn Your Garden into a Tropical Paradise
Why Loquat Trees?
Transforming your garden or backyard into a tropical retreat has never been easier thanks to the Loquat. If you plant them by themselves or with a few palm trees, you can turn your yard into a tropical paradise.
Also, if you prune loquats, they will grow to a manageable mature height, which makes them a good size for a variety of planting options. The thick, shiny leaves with sawtooth edges and small, white flowers give it an island-style look and a fresh scent. The fruit itself is the best part. The orange flesh is juicy and tastes tropical, like a mix of a sweet and sour plum and a kumquat.
Why Fast-Growing-Trees.com is Better
Loquats can handle wind, drought, and a wide range of soil types. They do best in full sun but can also do well in partial shade. Well-draining soil and plenty of water are about all your Loquat will require. However, the top perk is your Loquats strong beginning.
We planted, grew, and cared for your Loquat before sending it to you, so it has a healthy root system and will look great in your yard for a long time.
Get your own Loquat Tree today and enjoy the fruits of our hard work at the nursery when you grow them at home.
Full Planting & Care Instructions
Loquat Japanese Plum Tree s are self-pollinating. You will get fruit with only one plant. However, adding an additional Loquat Japanese Plum Tree will drastically increase the size of your crop.
1. Before you plant the tree, make sure it has a lot of room and is in a spot that gets full sun (6 to 8 hours a day). Leave at least 25 feet between the tree and buildings, sidewalks, and driveways unless you plan to regularly prune the tree to keep it from getting too big. And its always good to be sure your area has well-draining soil.
Make the hole three times as deep and three times as wide as the root ball when you’re ready to plant. Put the tree in the hole and hold it straight while you fill it back in with the native soil that you took out. Finally, water to settle the roots and spread a 2 to 3-inch layer of mulch around the area.
If you’re planting in a pot, just pick a pot that’s about twice as big as the one the plant came in, fill it with well-balanced potting soil, put the tree in it, and water it. Then, put your Loquat in a sunny window inside or on your porch in a spot that gets a lot of sun.
Note: This product grows best in well-draining soil. When you get your plant, you may see small white rocks or beads in the soil. This is meant to help the soil drain better and keep your plant happy and healthy.
2. Watering: For the first week, water your new loquat every other day. After that, water it once or twice a week for the first two months. Make sure to water once a week and more during extended periods of drought. During the rainy season, you should not have the need to water the tree at all.
For indoor Loquats, simply check the soil with your index finger. If the soil is dry about 3 inches down, water your Loquat Tree.
3. Fertilizing: Your Loquat will require a feeding three times yearly with lawn fertilizer. Use one cup of the fertilizer divided into three applications over the growing season. It’s best to use two cups of fertilizer the second and third years. Spread it out on the ground and then water it.
If you want to feed the tree naturally, mix 2 to 3 pounds of old manure with 2 tablespoons of greensand (a greenish type of sandstone) and 1 tablespoon of rock phosphate.
4. Pruning: The Loquat will do better if the branch tips are trimmed every two months for the first couple of years. If you keep them shorter than 3 feet, the loquat will grow more branches, which gives the fruit more places to grow. And remove dead twigs, branches, and leaves as early as possible.
Estimated Shipping Time: Most orders ship immediately. As noted on the website, some items are seasonal, and may only ship in spring or fall. Once your order is shipped, youll receive an email with a tracking number.
| Amount of Order | Shipping Charge |
|---|---|
| Less than $ 99 | $19.95 |
| $ 99 + | FREE SHIPPING! |
| Mature Height : | 10-20 ft. |
| Mature Width : | 10-15 ft. |
| Sunlight : | Full Sun |
| Growth Rate : | Moderate Growing |
| Harvest Time : | Winter, Spring |
| Botanical Name : | Eriobotrya japonica |
| Does Not Ship To : | AZ, OR |
| Grows Well In Zones : | 8-10 outdoors |
Growing Loquats, The Best Fruit You’ve Never Heard Of
FAQ
Why are loquats not sold in stores?
How many years does it take for a loquat tree to bear fruit?
Where is the best place to plant a loquat tree?
Why is loquat so expensive?
Do loquat trees need a lot of water?
As a general rule, loquat trees planted in the ground will do well if local rain totals are between 20-45 inches per year. At the lower end of that range, it can benefit from additional watering at certain periods of time. When the blossoms begin to swell into fruit in the spring, give it a long, slow seeping of water.
What is a loquat tree?
The Loquat is a beautiful evergreen fruit tree native to Asia, often called a Japanese Loquat. It is a small to medium sized tree growing 20 to 30 feet, but often smaller. The long, elliptical, serrated leaves add a tropical look to the garden and the bold textured foliage contrasts well with many other plants, such as palm trees.
Where does loquat grow?
Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica Lindl.), a subtropical evergreen fruit tree of the family Rosaceae, is native to southwest China and grows in subtropical to mid-temperate climates.
Can a loquat tree bear fruit?
The loquat tree bears delicious fruits. Loquat trees can grow in the ground or in containers, making them convenient to grow on a patio garden or small backyard. Other fruit trees that can be grown with loquats are pepino melon, orange, and pomegranate trees.
Which is the best loquat tree variety?
The Big Jim Loquat Tree (Eriobotrya japonica ‘Big Jim’) is one of the tastiest and fleshiest Loquat varieties you will find. Self-fruiting and resilient, it is an amazing fruit and is indeed the best of the best. Who’s Big Jim?
What is a loquat plum tree used for?
In traditional Japanese and Chinese medicine, the fruit and the leaves of the loquat plum fruit tree are used for multiple different purposes. The Chinese use the fresh fruit to make a syrup to ease coughs.