Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) 2L Pot
Eriobotrya japonica is an evergreen fruit tree grown for its textured foliage, autumn flowers and orange-yellow fruit.
Loquat develops large, leathery green leaves with deeply marked veins and softly felted undersides. Mature plants produce clusters of small, fragrant cream flowers, usually during autumn or winter.
The flowers can be followed by rounded or pear-shaped yellow to orange fruit. The ripe flesh is juicy and sweet-sharp, with flavour varying naturally between individual seedlings.
In the UK, Loquat can be grown outdoors in sheltered gardens, particularly in mild coastal areas. Fruiting is less reliable because the winter flowers and young fruit can be damaged by cold weather.
Plant Details
Botanical name: Eriobotrya japonica
Common names: Loquat, Japanese Medlar
Plant family: Rosaceae
Habit: Evergreen shrub or small tree
Potential height: Approximately 3–5 metres in the ground, depending on pruning and conditions
Foliage: Large, leathery and prominently veined green leaves
Flowers: Fragrant cream flowers produced in autumn or winter
Fruit: Rounded or pear-shaped fruit ripening to yellow or orange
Position: Full sun or bright partial shade
Suitable for: Sheltered gardens, patios, conservatories and large containers
Hardiness: Moderately hardy once established, but flowers and young plants require protection
Growing Advice
Grow your Loquat in fertile, moisture-retentive but well-draining compost. Container-grown plants should be moved into progressively larger pots as they develop.
Keep the compost evenly moist during active growth, but avoid prolonged waterlogging.
Place the plant somewhere bright, warm and sheltered from cold or salt-laden winds. A south-facing wall can provide additional protection and warmth.
Young plants should be protected from severe frost. Container-grown specimens are more vulnerable to cold than established plants growing in the ground.
Feed during spring and summer with a balanced fertiliser. Once established, plants grown outdoors generally require less frequent feeding than container-grown specimens.
Loquat responds well to pruning, although excessive pruning can remove flowering wood and reduce potential fruit production.
Fruiting in the UK
Loquat flowers during autumn and winter, which makes fruit production dependent on a mild and sheltered position.
Plants may produce fruit in southern and coastal parts of the UK, particularly against a warm wall or under glass. Outdoor fruiting cannot be guaranteed.
Seed-grown plants may take several years to flower and will not necessarily reproduce the characteristics of the parent fruit.
What You Will Receive
You will receive one Loquat plant growing in a 2-litre pot. Plants are typically dispatched at approximately 20–30 cm tall.
Leaf size, height and seasonal development will vary naturally.
Important Information
Only fully ripe fruit flesh is intended for consumption.
Do not eat the seeds. Loquat seeds contain naturally occurring compounds that can release cyanide when crushed or digested.
Seed-grown plants are variable, and future fruit size, flavour and quality cannot be guaranteed.