How to grow and care for Citrus japonica Thunb.

plant care guide about watering, fertilizing, trimming, repotting, cutting, propagating Citrus japonica Thunb., Cumquats, Marumi kumquat

Citrus japonica Thunb. 101 - Plant Care Instructions

Bright direct light

18C° ~25C°

Every 10 days

Botany Encyclopedia

Genus : Citrus

🔖 Care Tips

If the tree is too young, it won't bear fruit. It usually takes about 3 to 5 years to see fruit. Without artificial pollination, fruit may not develop. It's best to pollinate as soon as the flowers start blooming, as the success rate decreases over time. Gently rub the flowers with a cotton swab or brush for pollination, being careful not to damage them. Small fruits ripen in a few months, but larger ones may take 12 to 18 months.

🏝️ Habitat Conditions

This plant grows in the warm tropical regions of Southeast Asia and Australia. It thrives in warm and humid environments.

🪨 Soil Mix

When planting, it's best to use well-draining soil. Generally, mix 40% potting soil, 20% bark, 20% leaf mold, 10% perlite, and 10% charcoal. However, you can adjust the ratios based on the situation and environment.

🌡️ Environment

The ideal temperature is 15-25°C, and it should not drop below 5-10°C. Maintain humidity at 50-70% as plants prefer a humid environment. If it's dry, increase humidity with a humidifier or spray bottle. Ensure good air circulation when humidity is high to prevent mold growth.

☀️ Light

This plant needs a lot of light. It thrives best with 10-12 hours of light per day. From spring to summer, place it outside to ensure it receives ample sunlight.

💧 Water

When the surface soil is dry, water the plant thoroughly.

🪴 Repot

It is advisable to repot every 2-3 years. If placing outdoors during spring to summer, use a pot with wheels.

💊 Fertilize

During the growing season from spring to summer, it is advisable to use fertilizer according to the recommended amount. After fruiting, additional fertilization is beneficial. Avoid fertilizing immediately after repotting; wait 2-4 weeks before applying fertilizer.

🌺 Flower

Some species may bloom several times a year, but they usually flower once in the spring. Be cautious, as insufficient light can prevent blooming. If too many flowers bloom, thinning them out can prevent excessive fruiting. Too many fruits are not good for the plant and can result in poor-quality fruits.

😵 Toxicity

Be cautious with pets and young children as it is toxic.

water

How to water Citrus japonica Thunb.

How often should I water?

check Citrus japonica Thunb. Every 10 days if it needs water when it’s very cold (below 5℃), water less frequently

When do I need to water?

the top 2-3 inches of soil is dry

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Light & Location

How much light does a Citrus japonica Thunb. need?

user_site

Bright direct light

Bright indirect light

Grow light

Light preference

Citrus japonica Thunb. likes Bright direct light, Bright indirect light, Grow light day. The brighter the space, the better this plant grows.

Check if there’s an optimal place in your house!

This plant prefers
2K ~ 20K lux to thrive!

0

20K~

2K

20K

Start Light Meter

Temperature

Natural habitat

-15

3~40℃

45

Houseplants

-15

18~25℃

45

Plants that grow in the wild and those that grow indoors prefer different temperatures. If you grow Citrus japonica Thunb. at home, make sure the temperature is 18~25℃.

Humidity

Ideal humidity

0

40~70%

100

Citrus japonica Thunb. prefers humidity about 40~70%. If necessary, increase humidity by misting, humidifier.

Fertilize

Collective Knowhow

When should I fertilize?

Only when your plant is healthy

How frequently should I fertilize?

1-2 times in growing season. A pinch for a small pot.

Characteristic

The taxonomic classification of Citrus japonica Thunb. is as follows. - Kingdom: Plantae, Phylum: Tracheophyta, Class: Magnoliopsida, Order: Sapindales, Family: Rutaceae, Genus: Citrus, Species: Citrus japonica

Characteristic NameCharacteristic Value
LifespanPerennial
HabitatAsia
Taxonomy
Taxonomy NameTaxonomy Value
PhylumTracheophyta
ClassMagnoliopsida
OrderSapindales
FamilyRutaceae
GenusCitrus
SpeciesCitrus japonica

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