How to grow Loquat in Australia
Loquat is a hardy evergreen tree that flowers in late autumn and winter and carries clusters of golden, sweet and tangy fruit in late winter and spring, when little else is ripe. It grows in most of Australia apart from the coldest areas, but it is a major winter host of Queensland fruit fly and an environmental weed in the bush of south east Queensland and northern New South Wales, so pick every fruit and never let it spread.
📖 Our full guide: How to Grow Loquat in Australia
At a glance
When to plant by region
| Region | When to plant | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| South East Queensland | September to February | |
| Northern Rivers NSW | September to February | |
| Sydney & Coastal NSW | September to February | Thrives in Sydney. Fruits late winter when nothing else does. |
| Melbourne & Victoria | September to February | Reliable in sheltered spots. Flowers in winter, fruit in spring. |
| Adelaide & SA | March and April, September and October | Plant Mar to Apr or Sep to Oct. Loquats are very tough in Adelaide; the winter flowers can be nipped by hard frost in the Hills. |
| Perth & WA | March and April, September and October | Plant Mar to Apr ahead of the winter rains, or Sep to Oct. Tough once established; net the fruit against birds and fruit fly. |
| Tasmania | October and November | Marginal. The tree is hardy but winter flowers get frosted inland. Mild coastal gardens only. Plant Oct to Nov after the last frost. |
| Canberra & ACT | Not suited | The tree survives but it flowers and fruits in winter, so frost destroys the crop. Rarely fruits in Canberra. |
| North Queensland | May to August | Plant May to Aug in the dry with regular watering. Crops on the Atherton Tablelands; on the hot coast the tree grows but rarely fruits. |
| Darwin & Top End | Not suited | Not viable. Loquat flowers in cool autumn weather. No fruiting without a cool season. |
Where to plant
Plant loquat in full sun in well-drained soil. It copes with a wide range of soils once established, but not with waterlogging. The tree is tough, yet because it flowers in late autumn and winter, frost on the flowers or young fruit wipes out the crop even where the tree itself survives.
Think about the neighbourhood before planting. Birds and animals spread loquat seed, and it has become an environmental weed in New South Wales and Queensland, where it is ranked among the more important invasive plants of south east Queensland. If you grow one, pick or collect all the fruit and pull out seedlings that come up nearby, especially if you live near bushland or a creek.
- Sydney: loquats thrive and crop in late winter and spring.
- Melbourne and Adelaide: reliable in sheltered spots; in the Adelaide Hills hard frost can nip the winter flowers.
- Perth: plant in autumn ahead of the winter rains, or in spring. Tough once established.
- South East Queensland and the Northern Rivers: grows very easily, which is why fruit fly control and seedling removal matter most here.
- Canberra and inland Hobart: the tree survives, but frost usually destroys the winter flowers, so it rarely fruits. Mild coastal Tasmanian gardens are the only real chance.
- North Queensland: it crops on the Atherton Tablelands; on the hot, humid coast it grows but rarely fruits. Darwin is too warm for it to flower and fruit.
Choosing a variety
A grafted tree of a named variety gives larger, better-flavoured fruit and crops sooner than a seedling. Seedling loquats are common and can be good, but quality varies and they take 4 to 5 years or more to bear.
- Nagasakiwase is a widely sold early variety with large, sweet fruit.
- Specialist fruit nurseries also sell other grafted varieties; choose one that the nursery recommends for your climate.
How to plant
- Plant a potted tree in spring or early summer in most areas, or in autumn or spring in Adelaide and Perth.
- Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and the same depth. Tease out any circling roots.
- Plant at the same depth as in the pot and backfill, firming gently.
- Water in deeply and mulch, keeping the mulch clear of the trunk.
- Keep the soil moist for the first few weeks while the tree settles in.
Watering and feeding
Water young trees deeply once or twice a week in warm weather until they are established. Older trees handle dry spells well, but regular deep watering while the fruit is swelling in late winter and spring gives larger, juicier fruit.
Feed with a balanced fruit tree fertiliser or well-rotted manure in spring and again in summer, at the packet rate, and water it in.
Pruning and care through the year
- Prune straight after harvest to keep the tree low and open, so you can reach the fruit and net it. Flowers form on the tips of new growth, so heavy pruning later in the year removes next season's crop.
- Thin crowded fruit clusters when the fruit is small. Fewer fruit per cluster grow larger.
- Pick up all fallen and damaged fruit every few days and destroy it. Bag or net clusters, or use a fruit fly control program, as the fruit ripens.
- Pull out loquat seedlings that come up under or near the tree.
Harvesting
Fruit ripens from late winter into spring, depending on the district and the variety. Pick when the fruit is fully coloured yellow to orange, slightly soft and sweet. Fruit still showing green is not ready.
Snip whole clusters or pick single fruit over several weeks. Loquats bruise easily and keep only about a week in the fridge.
Growing in pots
A loquat can be grown in a large pot at least 50 to 60 cm wide, in quality potting mix, and kept to 2 to 3 m by pruning after harvest. Potted trees dry out quickly, so water often while the fruit is swelling.
Using it
Eat loquats fresh, peeled or not, and discard the large seeds. They also make good jam, jelly and chutney, and can be stewed or poached.
Companion planting
Loquat is usually grown as a specimen tree or among other fruit trees. Its dense canopy casts heavy shade, so keep vegetable beds out from under it.
Good companions
- Fruit trees It fits into a mixed backyard orchard. Its winter crop gives fruit when the summer fruits are finished.
Pests and diseases
Fruit fly is the main problem. Because the fruit ripens in late winter and spring, loquats help fruit fly survive the cool months and attack other fruit later.
Pests to watch for
- Fruit fly Small puncture marks on ripening fruit, which then rots from inside with maggots. Bag the fruit, use traps or baits, and destroy fallen fruit.
- Birds Pecked and half-eaten fruit as it colours. Net the tree, keeping it small enough to cover.
Diseases to watch for
- Brown rot Brown, rotting fruit that dries into shrivelled mummies on the tree. Remove mummified fruit and clean pruning tools.
Common questions
When are loquats ripe?
When the fruit is fully coloured yellow to orange and slightly soft, usually from late winter into spring. Fruit that is still pale or tinged with green is not ripe and tastes sour.
Why does my loquat tree flower but not fruit?
Loquats flower in late autumn and winter, so frost often kills the flowers or tiny fruit in cold areas such as Canberra and inland Tasmania. In the hot, humid tropics the tree may not flower well at all.
Are loquats a fruit fly problem?
Yes. The fruit ripens when little else is available, so loquats are a main host of early Queensland fruit fly infestations. Bag or net the fruit, use traps or baits, and pick up and destroy all fallen and infested fruit.
Is loquat a weed in Australia?
It is an environmental weed in New South Wales and Queensland, spread when birds and animals eat the fruit. It is a particular problem in south east Queensland and north east New South Wales. It is not a prohibited plant, but pick all the fruit and remove seedlings, especially near bushland.
Can I grow a loquat from seed?
Yes, the seed grows easily, but seedlings take 4 to 5 years or more to fruit and the fruit quality varies. A grafted tree of a named variety crops sooner with better fruit.
When should I prune a loquat?
Straight after harvest. Flowers form on the tips of the new growth, so pruning later in summer or autumn cuts off next year's crop.
Sources we checked: Brisbane City Council weed identification: Loquat; Weeds of Australia (Queensland Government, Lucid): Eriobotrya japonica; Burke's Backyard: Loquat; Yates: How to grow loquat; Gardening Australia: Josh's New Backyard (brown rot on loquat); Daleys Fruit Tree Nursery: Loquat; ISHS Acta Horticulturae 887: loquat pruning and flowering on new shoots.