---
title: "Need help getting started with my nagami kumquat tree, anyone have…"
description: "Need help getting started with my nagami kumquat tree, anyone have experience? My friends got me a kumquat tree for my birthday, and I need help making sure…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/lZ7uAE3pQ86jnFGxrCwLrg/rLWnOZqIS_aZEITCZT3zjA"
community: "Anything about plants"
author: "Maia"
published: "2024-06-06T16:58:54.367679Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/sOiiZMp-wRyjSM2HkHR6CN0RiQo4dj1PSp2_oZyQ3z4/7RmQkL-aQhW8-IJgBlyBWQ.webp?size=large"
---

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# Need help getting started with my nagami kumquat tree, anyone have…

_Posted by Maia on 2024-06-06_

Need help getting started with my nagami kumquat tree, anyone have experience?

My friends got me a kumquat tree for my birthday, and I need help making sure I'm treating it right. It's potted in a nursery pot right now, but they also gave me a large terracotta pot with one large drainage hole at the bottom. It's outside on my porch in Los Angeles.

A few questions:

\* Should I repot now? If not, when should I repot?  
\* If so, is this one drainage hole enough?  
\* Is this soil the right mix for repotting?  
\* How often should I be fertilizing/watering?  
\* Anything else I should keep in mind? This is my first outdoor plant that's not a cactus, so any tips are much appreciated.

Thanks!!

![Attachment 1 of 3](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/sOiiZMp-wRyjSM2HkHR6CN0RiQo4dj1PSp2_oZyQ3z4/7RmQkL-aQhW8-IJgBlyBWQ.webp?size=large)

![Attachment 2 of 3](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/sOiiZMp-wRyjSM2HkHR6CN0RiQo4dj1PSp2_oZyQ3z4/O0W77fXIQuCHji65Nd_6Hg.webp?size=large)

![Attachment 3 of 3](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/sOiiZMp-wRyjSM2HkHR6CN0RiQo4dj1PSp2_oZyQ3z4/xV9ia6KKQ8CSnnMy1G8wBw.webp?size=large)

## 4 comments

### Alyssa commented on 2024-06-06

Hello, no experience with that tree but with other citrus trees I’ve read about and just doing some quick research for this one specifically.

1\. Yes you should, they don’t like to be root bound and the terracotta pot is better for drainage and airflow as fruit trees hate having wet feet at all and need to be repotted every couple years or so. Or else you risk losing fruit production.  
2\. That drainage hole will be fine since it’s outside and it’s terracotta  
3\. I would invest in some citrus soil instead of generic gardening soil. Citrus trees like different kinds of soil ratios and ph than regular veggie and flower beds.  
4\. I’d water once it’s dry at least a few inches down in the pot, just always check with your finger or wooden stake or moisture meter. Never use planta to tell you to water, only as a reminder to check soil, planta will overwater your plants especially coming into this growing season. Fertilizing I’m not sure, have to differ to the experts. But I’d say once fruit starts to develop it would need some food for sure.

Also, I’d recommend watching Epic Gardening for more info on YouTube they have a few videos on how to grow a kumquat tree in a container.

Best of luck!! 🤞🏼

#### Maia replied on 2024-06-07

Incredibly nice of you to do this research, thank you!!! I ordered some citrus soil and will repot soon. It’s drying out really quickly, even after two days, so must have been thirsty! I’ll water again soon. Appreciate your help!

#### Alyssa replied on 2024-06-07

Of course! It’s fun to learn about new things and get more knowledge, if I had the opportunity I’d totally want to grow a kumquat tree lol! Oh good, I’m sure it’ll the love the soil and repot. Oh yeah it’s definitely time for a repot, when they get extra thirsty like that it usually means the roots are taking up a lot of real estate 🙌🏼

### Perrier Bidet commented on 2025-07-08

Hi Maia—seems like Alyssa did a nice job answering your questions.

The only thing i’d add is, in the way of fertilizer, ive used both all purpose miracle grow and citrus miracle grow with success. Recently, ive used the citrus variety exclusively. Easy to find on Amazon, if you’re so inclined.

For frame of reference, the tree is in the foothills of Los Angeles, it was repotted July 2024, and has been blooming since late May 2025.

Good luck!

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