It’s totally normal for your kumquat tree to drop some leaves during the winter. However, if you start seeing bare branches in the middle of summer, that’s usually a red flag. There are a few different reasons why your plant might be shedding, so let’s break them down.
The Winter Slowdown
Don’t panic if your kumquat loses leaves in the winter. During the colder months, we usually scale back on watering and stop fertilizing altogether. Because the plant has fewer nutrients to work with, it naturally slows down its metabolism to conserve energy.
In this state, keeping all those leaves would just be an unnecessary drain on the tree’s resources. One thing to watch out for, though, is light. You want the leaf drop to be a result of the plant’s natural “hibernation” mode, which is a vital rest period that triggers blooms for the next season. If the tree drops leaves simply because it’s stuck in a dark corner, it misses out on that restorative phase. Instead of growing flowers when spring hits, it’ll spend all its energy just trying to grow its leaves back.
Watering Habits
One of the most common reasons a kumquat loses its leaves is a mistake with the watering can. These trees like a moderate amount of water, but they absolutely hate “wet feet” (standing water). You want the soil to stay consistently moist, but never soggy. If you’re growing yours in a pot, make sure to empty any excess water from the saucer immediately. It’s also a good idea to check that the drainage holes aren’t clogged with soil. Pro tip: always put a layer of coarse expanded clay at the bottom of the pot for drainage before planting.
Low humidity can also be a culprit year-round. If your tree is indoors for the winter, give it a light misting once a week. If it’s outside during the summer, it loves a good rinse from above—as long as it isn’t currently in bloom. A refreshing “shower” is great during the heat of midsummer, just make sure the water isn’t ice cold. Early morning is the best time for both watering and misting.
The Perfect Watering Routine:
- Fill your watering can the night before.
- Let the can sit near the plant overnight so the water reaches room temperature.
- In the late morning, give the leaves a gentle spray.
- Use the remaining water to soak the soil.
Water Quality
Believe it or not, kumquats can be a bit picky about “hard” water. If your tap water has a high lime content, it could cause leaf drop. An easy DIY fix is to boil your water first. Just bring it to a boil, let it sit overnight to cool, and the lime will settle at the bottom. You can then carefully pour off the “soft” water from the top to use on your tree, leaving the sediment behind.
