Dwarf Nagami Kumquat - Citrus japonica ‘Nagami’- Grafted

Dwarf Nagami Kumquat is a compact, highly ornamental citrus that produces masses of small, oval, orange fruit you eat whole—sweet rind with a tangy, zesty centre. Perfect for Brisbane and SEQ gardens, it’s ideal for pots, courtyards, and small spaces, offering fragrant blossoms, glossy evergreen foliage, and a long fruiting season.

Quick Overview:

• Common Name: Dwarf Nagami Kumquat
• Botanical Name: Citrus japonica ‘Nagami’
• Origin: Traditional kumquat cultivar widely grown for edible and ornamental use
• Height & Width: Typically 1.5–2.5 m high × 1–2 m wide (dwarfing rootstock keeps it compact; excellent for pots)
• Foliage: Small, glossy evergreen leaves; neat, dense canopy
• Flowers: Fragrant white blossoms (often late spring through summer, depending on conditions)
• Wildlife Attraction: Flowers attract bees and other pollinators
• Fruit: Small oval fruit; eat whole (edible skin). Sweet rind with a tart centre—great fresh, candied, marmalade, and cocktails
• Position: Full sun to light shade (full sun gives the best flowering and flavour)
• Soil: Well-drained soil; thrives in premium free-draining potting mix in containers
• Tolerance: Good heat tolerance once established; protect young trees from frost and strong drying winds; dislikes waterlogging
• Maintenance: Low to moderate; regular citrus feeding improves flowering and fruiting; light pruning keeps it tidy and compact
• Propagation: Grafted 
• Etymology: Citrus is the classical Latin name for citrus trees; japonica means “of Japan,” referring to the species name historically used for kumquats

Detailed Description:

Nagami is the classic oval kumquat—one of the best citrus choices if you want something productive, compact, and decorative. The glossy foliage looks great year-round, the blossoms are beautifully fragrant, and the fruit often hangs on the tree for long periods, giving you a showy display as well as a steady harvest.

In Brisbane and SEQ, Dwarf Nagami is especially popular in pots near kitchens and entertaining areas. The fruit is unique because you eat it whole: the rind is sweet and aromatic, while the inside is tangy and refreshing. It’s perfect for snacking, garnishes, marmalade, candying, and even slicing into drinks.

Growth and Maintenance:

• Watering: Water deeply to establish; keep moisture consistent in pots (don’t let it dry out completely, especially during flowering and fruit swell)
• Fertilising: Feed with a quality citrus fertiliser through the warmer months; supplement trace elements if leaves look pale or yellowed
• Mulching: Mulch in-ground plants to stabilise moisture and protect feeder roots; keep mulch away from trunk
• Pot tip: Use a premium, free-draining potting mix and ensure the pot drains freely—kumquats hate “wet feet”
• Graft care: Remove any shoots growing from below the graft (rootstock suckers)

Pruning:

• Shape & airflow: Lightly prune after fruiting to keep an open canopy and tidy form
• Size control: Tip-prune to maintain a compact shape for courtyards and containers
• Clean-up: Remove dead, crossing, or inward-growing branches; avoid heavy pruning right before flowering

Common Uses:

• Feature citrus in pots for patios, balconies, and courtyards
• Edible landscaping and kitchen gardens
• Small-space backyard fruit tree for Brisbane and SEQ
• Espalier along a sunny fence (compact and neat)
• Gift plant (high ornamental value + edible harvest)

Planting Benefits:

• Perfect for Pots: Naturally compact with dwarfing rootstock—ideal for small spaces
• Eat the Whole Fruit: Sweet rind + tangy centre makes kumquat unique and versatile
• Ornamental & Productive: Glossy foliage, fragrant flowers, and colourful fruit often held on the tree
• Great for Preserves: Excellent for marmalade, candying, and cocktail garnishes