The evergreen loquats (Eriobotrya) - despite the similar name, they are not the native loquats - belong to the pome fruit family. In fact, the yellow fruits, which are quite similar to an apple, are very tasty. However, the trees originally native to Japan and China are only partially hardy here.
How can I overwinter a loquat in winter?
To overwinter a loquat successfully, place it in a bucket and either choose a protected outdoor area with heat protection fleece and an insulating base or overwinter it indoors at a maximum of 10°C in a bright, not sunny location. Water the plant even in winter.
Loquat not hardy
Basically, if possible, loquats should not be planted out, but rather cultivated in pots. The plants can tolerate slightly sub-zero temperatures for a short time, but they cannot survive a harsher winter outdoors.
Overwintering loquat in the pot
There are two ways to overwinter loquats in a pot:
1. Protected outdoors
The pots can remain standing, provided that the pot with the root ball and the trunk are wrapped with a heat protection fleece, for example. The pot itself is placed on a thick piece of insulating Styrofoam (€7.00 on Amazon) and in a protected corner, if possible on a heat-radiating house wall.
2. Under cold house conditions in the house/greenhouse
The loquat overwinters at a maximum of 10 °C in a bright but not directly sunny location.
Tip
Don't forget to water the loquat even in winter!
