How to grow Loquat in New Zealand
Loquat is a tough evergreen tree with big, leathery leaves, sweet-scented flowers in autumn and winter, and clusters of golden, apricot-like fruit in spring, when little else is ripe. It is self fertile and easy to grow in warm and mild districts. It is also a weed: birds spread its seed into bush, and in the Auckland region new loquats can no longer be sold or planted.
📖 Our full guide: How to Grow Loquat in New Zealand
At a glance
When to plant by region
| Region | When to plant | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| Northland | September to November | |
| Auckland | Not suited | Not recommended. Since 1 September 2022 the Auckland Regional Pest Management Plan bans selling, propagating and planting loquat in the Auckland region. |
| Waikato & Bay of Plenty | October and November | Plant Oct to Nov once the frosts are over. Frost can spoil the winter flowers inland, so choose a warm sheltered spot. |
| Central North Island | November | The tree is hardy, but its winter flowers are often frosted, so fruit is unreliable. |
| Wellington & Lower North Island | September to November | |
| Nelson & Marlborough | October and November | Plant Oct to Nov once the frosts finish. Frost can spoil the winter flowers in inland pockets, so choose a warm sheltered spot. |
| Canterbury | October and November | Marginal. The tree is hardy but frost spoils the winter flowers and fruit. Plant Oct to Nov in the warmest sheltered spot. |
| Otago & Southland | Not suited | The tree may survive, but frost destroys the winter flowers and fruit, so it rarely crops here. |
| Central Otago | Not suited | Hard frosts destroy the winter flowers and fruit, so loquats will not crop here. |
Where to plant
Loquats grow in most New Zealand districts except the coldest, in full sun and slightly acid, well-drained soil. The tree itself is hardy, but it flowers from late autumn into winter, so frosts often spoil the flowers and young fruit in cold or inland gardens. A warm, sheltered spot gives the most reliable crop.
Loquat is listed as a weed by Weedbusters because birds, especially kererū, spread its seed into native bush, mainly in the northern North Island. Pick or net the fruit, collect fallen fruit and pull out seedlings so it does not spread beyond your garden.
- Auckland region: since 1 September 2022 the Auckland Regional Pest Management Plan bans breeding, distributing, selling or planting loquat. Existing trees can stay, and can be moved within the same property, but do not plant new ones.
- Northland and Wellington: plant from September to November in a sunny spot. Check your regional council's pest plant rules first.
- Waikato and Bay of Plenty and Nelson and Marlborough: plant in October and November once frosts are over, in a warm, sheltered spot, as frost can spoil the winter flowers inland.
- Central North Island and Canterbury: marginal. The tree is hardy, but winter flowers are often frosted, so fruit is unreliable. Plant in October or November in the warmest, most sheltered spot.
- Otago and Southland and Central Otago: the tree may survive, but frost destroys the winter flowers and fruit, so it rarely crops.
Choosing a variety
Named, grafted loquats give larger, sweeter fruit and crop sooner than seedlings. Mogi is a popular Japanese variety, and Wiki Gold is a New Zealand selection with bigger fruit. In cold, harsh districts grafted trees can struggle, and seedling loquats are often hardier. Loquats are self fertile, so one tree is enough.
How to plant
- Check your regional pest plant rules before buying; in the Auckland region, loquats cannot be planted.
- Plant in spring in a sunny spot. Enrich the soil with compost or sheep pellets, and on clay fork in gypsum.
- Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and no deeper, tease out circling roots and plant at the same depth.
- Backfill, form a ring of soil around the root zone, water in well and mulch, keeping mulch off the trunk.
- Keep the soil moist for several weeks while the tree establishes.
Watering and feeding
Water deeply once or twice a week while young and during flowering and fruiting for plump fruit. Established trees cope with dry spells.
Feed once a year in spring, as you would an apple, with a fruit tree or citrus fertiliser.
Pruning and care through the year
- Prune after fruiting to keep the tree a pickable size and shape, removing awkward branches or double trunks that could split.
- Thin crowded fruit clusters when small for bigger fruit.
- Net or bag fruit as it colours to keep birds off, which also stops them spreading the seed.
- Pull out any loquat seedlings that come up around the garden.
Harvesting
Loquats ripen in spring, about October to December. Pick them when they are fully coloured golden or soft orange and slightly soft, as they do not sweeten after picking. Clip whole clusters or pick individual fruit.
Eat them fresh, stewed or as jam. The fruit bruises easily and keeps only about a week in the fridge.
Growing in pots
A loquat can be grown for some years in a large pot at least 60 cm wide in full sun, which keeps it smaller. Water deeply once or twice a week and feed in the growing season.
Companion planting
Loquats are large, shady trees. They suit the edge of an orchard and need no special companions.
Good companions
- Fruit trees (fruit trees in general. for example lemon tree, apple, peach and mandarin)
Pests and diseases
Birds and guava moth are the main loquat problems in New Zealand, and fire blight can affect it as a member of the rose family.
Pests to watch for
- Birds Ripe fruit pecked or stripped. Net the tree as fruit colours.
- Guava moth Small holes and caterpillars tunnelling in the fruit, mainly in the upper North Island.
Diseases to watch for
- Fire blight Flowers and shoot tips suddenly blacken and wilt as if scorched, with a shepherd's-crook bend at the tip. Cut out well below the damage and disinfect tools.
Common questions
Can I plant a loquat tree in Auckland?
No. Since 1 September 2022 the Auckland Regional Pest Management Plan bans selling, propagating or planting loquat in the Auckland region, because birds spread it into native bush. An existing tree can stay, but keep it from spreading.
Is loquat a weed in New Zealand?
Yes. Weedbusters lists it as a weed of native forest and shrubland, mainly in the northern North Island, because it produces lots of seed that kererū and other birds spread. Check your regional council's rules before planting.
When are loquats ripe?
In spring, about October to December, when the fruit is fully golden or orange and slightly soft. They do not sweeten after picking.
Why does my loquat flower but not fruit?
Loquats flower in late autumn and winter, so frost often kills the flowers or tiny fruit in cooler districts. Seedling trees can also take many years to fruit well.
Do I need two loquat trees?
No. Loquats are self fertile, so one tree will fruit.
Sources we checked: Yates NZ: How to grow loquat; Auckland Council (Tiaki Tāmaki Makaurau): Eriobotrya japonica pest search; Weedbusters: Loquat; NZ Lifestyle Block (Our Way of Life): How to grow loquat trees in New Zealand.