Named varieties of kumquat differ in winter-chill needs, ripening time, hardiness, and whether they set fruit on their own — pick one that fits your climate.
Nagami · Oval Kumquat, Fortunella margarita
Self-fertileRipensNov-FebZones8-11Diseasegood (notably canker/CBC tolerant)Sizedwarf, 8-12 ft in ground; keeps to 3-5 ft in a pot
tart pulp, sweet edible rind; eaten whole, great for marmalade — The most widely sold kumquat and among the most cold-hardy citrus (to ~18-20F once established), making it a top pick for the coldest citrus zones or container growing up North. Self-fertile; no pollinizer needed. No winter-chill requirement.
Where to buy ‘Nagami’verified
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Meiwa · Sweet Kumquat, Round Kumquat, Fortunella crassifolia
Self-fertileRipensNov-FebZones9-11DiseasegoodSizecompact dwarf, 6-8 ft; excellent patio/container tree
thick sweet rind and mild pulp, the best fresh-eating kumquat — Choose this one to eat out of hand - the sweetest kumquat (a thought-to-be Nagami x Marumi hybrid), though slightly less cold-hardy than Nagami. Self-fertile; no pollinizer or winter chill required.
Where to buy ‘Meiwa’verified
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Marumi · Round Kumquat, Morgani, Fortunella japonica
Self-fertileRipensNov-FebZones8-11DiseasegoodSizedense rounded dwarf, 6-9 ft; slightly thorny
round fruit, thin sweet rind with tart-to-mild pulp, midway between Nagami and Meiwa — The most cold-hardy of all kumquats (and among the hardiest of any citrus) - typically undamaged into the low teens F, defoliating only near 0F and leafing back out in spring. Tidy, slightly thorny hedge-like habit. Self-fertile; no winter chill required.
Where to buy ‘Marumi’verified
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Fukushu · Changshou Kumquat, Fortunella obovata
Self-fertileRipensNov-JanZones9-11DiseasemoderateSizespreading thornless dwarf, 6-10 ft with large broad leaves
sweet thin rind and mild juicy pulp, mandarin-like; good fresh — Thornless with big leaves and large heavy fruit set, but the most tender of the common kumquats (roughly hardy to ~25F), so give it the warmest spot or grow it in a pot. Self-fertile; no winter chill required.
Where to buy ‘Fukushu’
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Centennial Variegated · Variegated Kumquat, Fortunella margarita 'Centennial'
Self-fertileRipensNov-FebZones8-11DiseasegoodSizedwarf, 6-8 ft; ornamental
larger, tangy-sweet oval fruit; edible whole, sweeter than most kumquats — A USDA 1993 release originating as a spontaneous variegated twig sport; cream-and-green striped foliage and green-striped fruit that ripens orange, prized as a decorative patio tree that still crops well. Self-fertile; no winter chill required.
Where to buy ‘Centennial Variegated’
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