Loquat Eriobotrya japonica
Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) is an evergreen perennial fruit plant in the Rosaceae family, native to Southeast China. It grows 4–7 m (13–23 ft) tall and 3–6 m (10–20 ft) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about -10 °C (14 °F). Space plants about 5 m (16 ft) apart.
Plan Loquat in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Loquat at a glance
| Type | Perennial fruit plant, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Rosaceae |
| Mature height | 4–7 m (13–23 ft) |
| Mature spread | 3–6 m (10–20 ft) |
| Spacing | 5 m (16 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 5.5–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -10 °C (14 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 8) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 38 °C (100 °F) |
| Flowering | from about October for 6–11 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Yes: fruit |
| Native to | Southeast China |
| Common in gardens of | 🇨🇳 China, 🇯🇵 Japan, 🇧🇷 Brazil |
| Invasive in | Australia (environmental weed in parts of the east): check local rules before planting |
Is Loquat toxic?
- People: mildly toxic
- Cats: mildly toxic
- Dogs: mildly toxic
- Parts: seeds, leaves
Seeds and leaves contain cyanogenic glycosides; the ripe flesh is safe.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Loquat
Good neighbours
- good With Garlic chives: Gardeners plant garlic chives among roses to deter aphids and black spot; the evidence is weak and mostly anecdotal. Evidence D
Shared pests and diseases
- Fire blight: Fire blight bacteria are carried by bees and rain between apples, pears, quince, hawthorn, cotoneaster and firethorn. Evidence B
Questions about Loquat
- How far apart should I plant Loquat?
- About 5 m (16 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 3–6 m (10–20 ft).
- Does Loquat need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Loquat need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Loquat?
- It tolerates about -10 °C (14 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 8.
- When does Loquat flower?
- From about October for 6–11 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Loquat poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is mildly toxic; for dogs mildly toxic; for people mildly toxic. Seeds and leaves contain cyanogenic glycosides; the ripe flesh is safe.
- What grows well with Loquat?
- Gardeners plant garlic chives among roses to deter aphids and black spot; the evidence is weak and mostly anecdotal.
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- UF/IFAS Extension tropical and subtropical fruit and landscape publications, University of Florida
- University extension gardening guides (general), Various land-grant university extensions
- EcoCrop crop environmental requirements, FAO
- CABI Invasive Species Compendium, CABI
Notes and assumptions
- Flowers in autumn to winter, so the crop is lost where flowers or young fruit freeze; fruit ripens in spring.
- Thermal-time values are rough because bloom and harvest straddle two calendar years.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Strawberry Fragaria x ananassa
- Dwarf apple tree Malus domestica
- Common ninebark Physocarpus opulifolius
- Serviceberry Amelanchier canadensis
- Raspberry Rubus idaeus
- Blackberry Rubus fruticosus agg.
- Garden rose Rosa x hybrida
- Japanese flowering cherry Prunus serrulata