Nagami kumquat with clusters of small oval orange fruit among glossy evergreen leaves
Nagami kumquat (Fortunella margarita) branch laden with oval orange fruit
Nagami kumquat, a compact evergreen citrus in fruit
Ripe oval orange Nagami kumquats ready to eat whole
Nagami kumquat with clusters of small oval orange fruit among glossy evergreen leaves
Nagami kumquat (Fortunella margarita) branch laden with oval orange fruit
Nagami kumquat, a compact evergreen citrus in fruit
Ripe oval orange Nagami kumquats ready to eat whole
Pollinator Edible Fragrant New

Oval Kumquat

Nagami Kumquat

$42.00 Sold out
1-2 Feet USDA Zones 8–10 Full Sun Matures 6–12 Feet

Fortunella margarita, the Nagami kumquat, is the easiest citrus to grow and the only one eaten peel and all: a sweet rind around tart pulp on a compact, cold-hardy evergreen.

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Roots wrapped in moist soil and padded for safe transit
Grown and shipped from our nursery in Aiken, SC
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The Full Story

The Nagami kumquat is the easiest citrus most gardeners will ever grow, and the only one meant to be eaten peel and all. Clusters of small, oval, sunset-orange fruit hang against dense, glossy evergreen foliage, each one a burst of contrast: a sweet, tender rind wrapped around bright, tart pulp. Pop them whole for a sweet-and-sour snap, candy the rinds, slice them into a salad, or simmer the winter harvest into jewel-toned marmalade.

Kumquats are the odd cousins of the citrus family, small enough that botanists once set them in a genus of their own, Fortunella, named for Robert Fortune, the Scottish plant hunter who carried the fruit from China to Europe in 1846. The name kumquat comes from the Cantonese for golden orange, and across China the little trees are treasured emblems of prosperity and good fortune, exchanged and displayed heavy with fruit at the Lunar New Year. 'Nagami' is the common oval kumquat, the most widely grown of them all.

For a citrus, the Nagami is remarkably obliging. The tree is naturally compact and dense, self-fertile so a single plant sets a full crop with no companion needed, and hardier than most citrus thanks to a semi-dormant winter habit that carries the plant through brief cold into the low twenties. Flowers open in summer and the fruit ripens from late fall through winter, holding on the branch well into spring, prime color in the months when the garden has least to offer.

Compact habit makes the Nagami a natural container plant for a sunny patio, a courtyard, a doorway, or a bright window, kept easily to six to eight feet in a pot and around ten to fifteen feet in the ground with light pruning. Grow in full sun and sharply drained soil, in the ground through zones 8 to 10 or in a pot that can move under cover farther north, and keep a plant near the kitchen for fruit off the branch. Pair with rosemary, bay, and other potted Mediterranean plants. Photos courtesy of McClendon Citrus.
Will this plant thrive in your zone?

Plant Profile
At a glance
Hardiness
USDA Zones 8–10
Sun
Full Sun
Soil
Well-drained
Mature size
Height 6–12 Feet · Spread 4–8 Feet
Growth rate
Moderate
Seasonality
Evergreen
Design Notes

Compact habit makes the Nagami a natural container plant for a sunny patio, a courtyard, a doorway, or a bright window, kept easily to six to eight feet in a pot and around ten to fifteen feet in the ground with light pruning. Grow in full sun and sharply drained soil, in the ground through zones 8 to 10 or in a pot that can move under cover farther north, and site where the fragrant summer bloom and the long-holding winter fruit can be enjoyed at close range. Self-fertile, so a single plant crops well; keep one near the kitchen, and pair with rosemary, bay, and other potted Mediterranean plants.

Flower, Fruit & Foliage

White, fragrant, summer

Flower. Small, white, sweetly citrus-scented flowers in summer, self-fertile, so a single tree sets fruit without a pollinator.

Fruit. Small, oval, sunset-orange fruit about an inch long, ripening from late fall through winter and holding into spring. The thin rind is sweet and tender and the pulp bright and tart, so the fruit is eaten whole, skin and all. Excellent fresh, candied, sliced into salads, or simmered into marmalade and chutney.

Foliage. Dense, glossy, dark evergreen leaves on a naturally compact frame that sets off the winter fruit.

Care

Read our full care guide

Light. Full sun, at least six hours a day, indoors or out.

Soil. Rich, sharply drained soil; the roots dislike standing water.

Water. Water deeply and regularly while establishing and in fruit, letting the surface dry between waterings; ease off in winter.

Pruning. Little needed; shape lightly after harvest, and keep container plants to size with a trim.

Hardiness. Among the hardier citrus, taking brief cold into the low twenties; grow in the ground through zones 8 to 10, or in a moveable pot farther north.

Here’s a closer look at how we produce our plants

From rooting to shipping, our top priority is ensuring you receive healthy, thriving plants for your garden’s success.

Woodlanders Growing Process

Because most of our plants are grown from rooted cuttings — alongside seed, air layering, and grafting chosen for each variety — you receive a stronger, true-to-type plant that establishes quickly in your garden.

Sustainable Growing Practices

Raised on organic soil blends and eco-friendly pest management — never harsh chemicals — your plant arrives healthy for your garden, your family, and the pollinators they feed.

Supporting Local Biodiversity

Every purchase gives back. We donate to the Aiken Arboretum and support local wildlife conservation, so growing your garden helps protect the wider ecosystem too.

At Woodlanders, we are committed to quality.
Grown in Aiken, South Carolina
At Woodlanders, we are committed to quality.

All our plant material is carefully propagated, grown, and nurtured at our humble nursery in Aiken, South Carolina.

Learn more about Woodlanders
Healthy plants, ready to thrive
Success, made simple
Healthy plants, ready to thrive

Your plant arrives carefully packed and ready to settle in. Unpack them promptly, give them a day or two to acclimate, then plant following the notes we include — that’s all it takes. Clear care guidance comes with every order, so success is the easy part.

Read the care guide
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Frequently Asked Questions
What to expect upon delivery

All our plants are sold in 1-gallon sizes, though the height of each plant can vary depending on its growth rate and seasonality, typically ranging from 1/2 to 2.5 feet.

Each plant is carefully packaged with its roots enclosed in a secure plastic bag containing moist soil, forming a compact root ball. To ensure safe transport, the box is padded with recycled newspaper, providing both stability and eco-friendly protection from weather during shipping.
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Review our full return policy information on our SHIPPING AND RETURNS POLICY page.
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At Woodlanders, we strive to fulfill orders as quickly as possible. Therefore, we can only accommodate changes to your order within the first 24 hours after it has been placed. These changes include adding or removing products and modifying the delivery address. If you need to make any changes or if there has been a mistake with your order information, please reach out to us promptly via our CONTACT page with your order number for the quickest resolution.

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