Kumquat
Fortunella
- citrus
Safety
ASPCA has no page for kumquat itself, but lists three other Citrus species this catalog confirms toxic on the same essential-oils/psoralens principle: sweet orange (Citrus sinensis), grapefruit (Citrus paradisi), and Key lime (Citrus aurantifolia). Kumquat shares the genus and the same toxic-principle class, so it is presumed toxic by relation rather than confirmed by its own ASPCA page.
No ASPCA entry matches kumquat directly -- a direct site search and an alphabetical-index check both came up empty. Treating a fruit as safe merely because its own species page doesn't exist, when three of its closest relatives in the same genus are ASPCA-confirmed toxic on the same toxic-principle class, would be an inconsistent standard -- so this is presumed toxic instead. See the presumed-toxic basis noted below for the specific relatives this inference rests on.
Poison control
If someone has collapsed, cannot be woken, is having a seizure or has trouble breathing, call 911 now. For any other possible poisoning, call Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222.
Emergency number source: U.S. federal law (47 U.S.C. § 251(e)(3)), read 2026-10-07.
Quick facts
- Hardiness zones
One of the more cold-hardy citrus types -- UF/IFAS EDIS FR368 states it "can handle temperatures as low as 10 deg F," which is unusually low for citrus and is flagged here as worth spot-checking against a second source before displaying as a firm number; Texas A&M AgriLife independently lists kumquats among the "cold-hardy types of citrus," which corroborates the general claim without confirming the exact 10 deg F figure. No USDA zone number given.
- Mature size
Usually reaches about 15 ft tall when planted in the open (UF/IFAS EDIS FR368).
Full field manual in the app
Step-by-step care
The numbered steps for caring for this plant, where we have them.
Why each step works
The reasons behind the steps, where we have them.
Problems and fixes
What can go wrong with this plant and what to do about it, where we have them.
Soil, feeding and pruning
How to prepare the soil, when and what to feed, and how and when to prune where that applies.
Sources
- UF/IFAS EDIS FR368 (FOR300), Kumquats
- UF/IFAS EDIS HS132, Dooryard Citrus Production (general citrus care/pests)
- Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, Citrus fact sheets
- USDA APHIS, Citrus Greening and Asian Citrus Psyllid
- USDA, "Citrus Trees: Move It and Lose It" (2014)
- UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions, Citrus Greening FAQ
- Florida Statute Sec. 581.1843
- UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions - Kumquat