Loquat/Japanese Plum

Florida has the best climate in the U.S. to grow these tree originating from Asia.

USDA Hardiness Zones: 7-11
Chill Hours: -
Deciduous/Evergreen: Evergreen
Plant Type: Perennial
Pollinator: Self-fertile
Blooming Season: October-January
Ripening Season: Mid-February-March
Years to Bear Fruit/Edible Qualities: May take up to 8 years to fruit when not grafted. Fruits, growing in clusters, are oval, rounded or pear-shaped. The succulent, tangy flesh is white, yellow or orange and sweet to subacid or acid, depending on the cultivar. Each fruit contains three to five large brown seeds. Some cultivars are self-infertile and others are only partially self-fertile. Flowers of the early and late flushes tend to have abnormal stamens and very little viable pollen. Thinning of flowers and young fruits in the cluster, or clipping off all or part of flower and fruit clusters is sometimes done to enhance fruit size.
Full Size: 20' high
Cold Tolerance: Tree is cold hardy, but fruits and flowers are not, which leads most cultivation being done in zones 9-11
Light Requirements: Full Sun for more fruits
Drought Tolerance/Watering: Drought Tolerant once established but ensure watering during flowering & fruiting. For initial planting water every day to every other day and then gradually begin water 2-3 times per week after initial planting
Soil & Site Requirements: Tolerates wide range of soils but does best with well drained acidic soil
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