Loquat Planting Guide
Your April guide to loquat
Whether you're sowing, transplanting, or harvesting, loquat needs the right timing. Check your zone below for exact dates.
-
How to water loquat
About an inch of water a week keeps loquat happy. Check your weather forecast before watering — skip if rain is coming.
-
Where to put loquat
South-facing beds are ideal for loquat. Shade from nearby trees or fences costs real production.
-
Check your local forecast before planting
Your zone determines the exact week to plant loquat. Pick your county below and we'll line everything up against your frost dates.
Loquat is an attractive evergreen tree producing clusters of small, tangy-sweet, apricot-colored fruits in late winter to early spring. It also serves as an ornamental shade tree.
Eriobotrya japonica · Fruit · Rosaceae family · 730–1825 days to maturity
Get Your Personalized Loquat Planting Dates
Enter your ZIP code to see exact planting dates, soil compatibility, and growing tips specific to your county.
Where Can You Grow Loquat?
Loquat Growing Regions
Click any state to see the Loquat planting schedule for that location.
Planting Dates by Zone
| Zone | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Transplant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 7a | — | — | Apr 15 | — |
| Zone 7b | — | — | Apr 8 | — |
| Zone 8a | — | — | Mar 29 | — |
| Zone 8b | — | — | Mar 18 | — |
| Zone 9a | — | — | Feb 24 | — |
| Zone 9b | — | — | Feb 8 | — |
| Zone 10a | — | — | Jan 15 | — |
| Zone 10b | — | — | Jan 15 | — |
Why are some columns showing "—"?
Start Indoors shows "—" because Loquat is typically direct sown outdoors rather than started indoors. It germinates quickly and doesn't transplant well.
Direct Sow shows "—" because Loquat benefits from being started indoors first, then transplanted after the last frost.
How to Plant Loquat
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
Moderate — regular watering
Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Consistent moisture produces the best results.
🧪 Soil pH
6 – 7.5
Prefers neutral to slightly acidic soil — ideal for most garden beds.
🗺️ Hardiness Zones
Zone 7a – 10b
📅 Days to Maturity
730–1825 days
Long-season crop. Start indoors in cold climates to get a head start.
👪 Plant Family
Rosaceae
Rotate with other families yearly to prevent soil-borne diseases. Don't plant in the same spot where Rosaceae family crops grew last year.
How Much Loquat to Grow
Loquat takes 730–1825 days to mature. In most zones you'll get one harvest per season, so plant enough to last.
Companion Planting for Loquat
✅ Good Companions
Check more combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Growing Tips for Loquat
Plant in a sheltered location to protect winter flowers from frost. Loquats are self-fertile but produce better with cross-pollination. Thin fruit clusters for larger individual fruits.
Saving Loquat Seeds
Recommended for Your Garden
Sharp bypass pruners for clean cuts on fruit trees, berry bushes, and woody herbs.
Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.
Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.
Seed Saving & Storage Guide
Most saved seeds go bad before next season. This shows exactly when to pick, how to dry, and where to store seeds from 200 plants so yours don't.
- 200 plants, step-by-step: life cycle, pollination type, isolation
- Exact temperature + humidity ranges that keep seeds viable
- Bonus: searchable Google Sheets tracker + custom GPT assistant
Loquat by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to grow Loquat?
Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) takes 730 to 1825 days from planting to harvest. Exact timing depends on your variety, growing conditions, and USDA zone.
What zones can Loquat grow in?
Loquat can be grown in USDA zones 7a through 10b. Use the planting calendar above to find the exact dates for your zone.
How much sun does Loquat need?
Growing Loquat requires Full Sun (6-8+ hours), Moderate — regular watering, and soil pH of 6 to 7.5.