Growing loquat
berry / bush fruit
Pollination
Most are self-fertile; a couple of named types set more with a partner.
Growing it
Zones 8-10. An evergreen tree that blooms in autumn and ripens in spring, so a hard winter frost destroys the crop even where the tree survives.
Where loquat grows best
Hardy in zones 8-10, and it needs enough winter cold - about 0-100 chill hours - to flower and fruit well. Combining the two:
Good fit across most of: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina. Also parts of Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Maryland, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington.
Will you get enough chill?
Loquat needs roughly 0–100 hours between 32 and 45 °F over winter to break dormancy evenly. Check your area with the chill hours calculator. Low-chill breeding has pushed many varieties well below the figure here, so read the plant tag.
Questions gardeners ask
What zone does loquat grow in?
Loquat grows in USDA hardiness zones 8-10.
How many chill hours does loquat need?
Roughly 0-100 hours between 32 and 45°F over winter, depending on the variety. Low-chill varieties need less - check the plant tag, and estimate your own area with the chill hours calculator.
Is loquat self-pollinating?
Self-fertile — one plant crops on its own. Most are self-fertile; a couple of named types set more with a partner.
Which states can grow loquat?
Loquat suits most of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, and parts of 17 other states where the right zones occur. Your own zone and chill hours matter more than the state.
Chill and pollination are given at the fruit-type level; specific cultivars can differ. Values are typical ranges for home-garden planning.