What Kind of Soil Do Kumquats Like

The best soil for kumquats is well-drained loamy soil. Kumquat trees, like their citrus cousins, don't really enjoy wet feet. They can rot easily if the drainage is not good, especially when grown in pots. You can tell by looking at the yellowing leaves or the fruits they put out.

Soil for Kumquat Trees in Pots

If you're growing kumquat trees in containers, there are some good potting soil options. Here is one from EBStone: https://www.ebstone.org/products/outdoor-soil-amendments/citrus-palm-planting-mix

This citrus & palm potting soil is 100% natural & organic. You can use it as a ready-made mix for your plants or as a soil amendment for your native soil.

The mix has pumice, sand & redwood bark, which are all great for drainage. There's also peat moss to help with the acidity & moisture retention. This one is available in a big bag at local nurseries or hardware stores.

Another good option is Kellogg Palm, Cactus & Citrus All Purpose Mix. You can use the mix for kumquat trees in containers as well as those in ground. It ships in a big 1 cubic ft bag at a super cheap price on Home Depot.

Kellogg's Citrus & Palm mix
Good for normal & dwarf citrus
Containers, raised beds, in-ground
Ready-to-use no mixing

Make sure there are several drainage holes in your pots. You can also place some rocks or netting at the bottom to help the water flow out more easily.

Soil for Kumquat Trees in Ground

If the native soil in your property does not provide enough nutrients for the plants, you may need some kumquat fertilizer. If you don't know what the best fertilizer for kumquat is, you could check out this post below later:

>> Link Blog post:

What Is the Best Fertilizer for Kumquat

Kumquats, like their cousin citrus trees, are quite heavy feeders. However, these babies are not too picky when it comes to food. If the native soil in your area doesn’t provide enough nutrients for the trees, you may need to feed them. Otherwise, they would do well with what’s available.

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Also, there are some potting mixes that you might not want to use for in-ground kumquats.

Check if they have vermiculite in the mix. Because this type of rock usually holds water a bit more than the perlite. It may not be ideal for in-ground conditions because the high moisture retention can lead to root rot.

Be sure to spread some mulch around your kumquat on hot summer days to keep them cool. If it's winter & the chance of frost damage is high, you may need to dig the plants up & pot them inside the house.

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