Kumquats – Can It Grow In Atlanta

Q: Is it possible to grow kumquats in Atlanta?

A: It’s possible, but you won’t be able to keep it outdoors all year long. Local kumquat grower Jason Byers says he gets dozens of fruit from a small potted tree he takes outdoors in spring and keeps indoors in winter. St. Joseph, Florida, north of Tampa, is the center of kumquat production in the Southeast. If you buy a plant online, plant it in a large pot (eighteen inches minimum). Water and fertilize regularly in summer and put it in a sunny room indoors for winter. Although a kumquat can tolerate occasional freezing temperatures, you’ll be pushing the envelope if you don’t bring it indoors in October.