Does it need full sun?

Yes, it performs best in full sun to light shade.

How often should I prune it?

Pruning is rarely needed, but you can shape it lightly after the harvest.

Plant guide

Loquat.

Eriobotrya japonica

Pronounced air-ee-oh-BOT-ree-uh juh-PON-ih-kuh

Also known as Eriobotrya japonica, Chinese medlar, Japanese Plum, Japanese medlar, Japanese-medlar, Loquat

The loquat is a lovely evergreen tree that produces sweet, tangy fruit in the spring. It has a beautiful, rounded canopy and large, textured leaves that look great in any garden. You'll love how it adds a Mediterranean feel to your outdoor space.

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Fruit tree
Light: Full sun
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 7 to 14 days
Mature size: 20 to 30 feet
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 8 to 10
Bloom time: Autumn to early winter

Care

Plant your tree in a spot that gets plenty of sun and has well draining soil. Keep an eye out for leaf spots or pests like aphids during the warmer months. If the leaves start to yellow, it might be a sign that the soil is staying too wet.

Watering: Water deeply once the top few inches of soil feel dry to the touch.
Feeding: Apply a balanced fertilizer during the active growing season to support fruit production.
Pruning: Prune lightly after the harvest to maintain shape and encourage airflow.
Repotting: Repot young trees every couple of years when they outgrow their current container.
Soil: Well draining, loamy soil
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.5
Temperature: -7 to 35°C
Humidity: 40 to 70%
Drought tolerance: High
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 15 to 25 years
Fragrance: Light
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Water sitting on the surface for too long.
Stunted growth during the active season.

Safety

People: The ripe fruit flesh is safe to eat, but the seeds contain cyanogenic glycosides and can be harmful to humans if chewed or swallowed in quantity.
Pets: The seeds of the loquat contain cyanogenic glycosides which are toxic to cats and dogs if ingested.
Children: The ripe yellow fruit flesh is safe to eat, but the large seeds contain compounds that can release cyanide if chewed and are also a choking hazard, so it is best to remove them before giving the fruit to young children.
Contact allergens: The leaves have a slightly rough texture but do not typically cause skin irritation.
Airborne allergens: The pollen may cause mild reactions in sensitive individuals during the spring bloom.
Edibility: The fruit flesh is edible and tasty, but the seeds contain cyanogenic glycosides and should not be eaten.

How to identify it

Large, leathery, dark green leaves
Deeply veined, serrated leaf margins
Clusters of fragrant white flowers
Small, golden yellow, pear shaped fruit
Fuzzy, rust colored new growth

Height: 6 to 9m
Spread: 4.5 to 7.5m
Leaves: dark green, leathery, evergreen
Flowers: white, pale pink, 1 to 2cm
Fruit: dark blue, black, Late summer to autumn

Problems to watch for

AphidsCommon
Leaf SpotCommon
Scale InsectsUncommon
Sooty MoldUncommon

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: cuttings, seed
When to plant: spring, autumn
Overwintering: In colder regions, apply a layer of mulch around the base to protect the roots from freezing. If a hard frost is expected, cover the foliage with a light cloth.
In containers: It grows well in large containers with excellent drainage, provided the pot is at least 40 centimeters wide.

Semi-hardwood cuttings

Take 10 centimeter cuttings in late summer.
Remove the lower leaves.
Dip in rooting hormone and place in a well draining mix.

Group this shrub with other drought tolerant plants that do not require heavy summer watering to keep the soil consistent.

Grows well with

Lavender · They share similar sun and drainage requirements.
Rosemary · Both plants enjoy the same Mediterranean style conditions.
Daylily · The contrasting textures look lovely together.

Similar species

Rhaphiolepis indica · A very closely related species with similar growth habits and flowers.

Science

Family: Rosaceae
Genus: Rhaphiolepis
Order: Rosales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Southern China and parts of Southeast Asia.
Conservation: This plant is not currently of conservation concern.

It thrives in well drained soils and is adapted to survive in exposed, windy coastal environments.

Value to wildlife: nectar source, provides cover for small birds
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: ornamental hedge, coastal landscaping, foundation planting, container gardening

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 5/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 7/9
Temperature: 7/9
Moisture: 4/9
Nutrients: 4/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Does it need full sun?: Yes, it performs best in full sun to light shade.
How often should I prune it?: Pruning is rarely needed, but you can shape it lightly after the harvest.

Where the name comes from

The genus name refers to the needle like bracts found on the flower clusters. The specific epithet bibas relates to its historical classification and botanical grouping.

Good to know

It is also known as Japanese plum or Japanese medlar.
The name Rhaphiolepis comes from Greek words meaning needle and scale.
It is highly drought tolerant once established.
The berries are a food source for local bird populations.

Also in

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This guide was generated with AI on September 25, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.