While not as popular as other citrus fruits, many love Kumquats for their tart, juicy flesh. They’re also loved for being one of the best and easiest fruit trees to grow around your home.
However, if you want to plant and grow kumquat trees, starting them off on the right footing is essential. To do that, you’ll need the best soil for kumquat trees, and we’ll look at some of the top options in this article.
Our Top Picks
Best Overall:
Black Gold All Purpose Potting Mix With CRF
Best Soil for Kumquat Trees in Dry Regions:
FoxFarm Salamander Soil
Budget Choice:
Citrus Tree Potting Mix
Best Overall
Black Gold All Purpose Potting Mix With CRF
If you’re looking for the best overall soil for kumquat trees and have the money to pay for it, look no further than Black Gold All Purpose Potting Mix With CRF. Black Gold is one of the leading brands in all things soil and fertilizer-related, so it’s fitting to have them at the top of our list.
Black Gold All Purpose Potting Mix has everything your kumquat trees need to grow and succeed. It has a mostly loamy texture but plenty of natural ingredients to act as fertilizer for your kumquat trees.
Here is a list of Black Gold All Purpose Potting Mix ingredients.
- Pumice
- Perlite
- Earthworm Castings
- Peat Moss
- Compost
- Bark
- Cinders
- Dolomite Lime
- Slowly releasing fertilizer
As you can see, this potting mix is the full package. It’s known for adding strength and stability to root systems while providing an optimal combination of aeration, water retention, and drainage.
Adding Black Gold’s slow-release fertilizer that feeds your trees for up to six months is a nice touch. Whether you want to grow your kumquat trees outside or in a container, Black Gold All Purpose Potting Mix is the way to go.
Pros
- The added fertilizer feeds your plant for up to six months
- No need to add fertilizer at the initial planting
- Contains natural ingredients
- Texture and composition are perfect for kumquat trees
- A perfect combination of moisture retention, drainage, and aeration
Cons
- Slightly pricy
Best Soil for Kumquat Trees in Dry Regions
FoxFarm Salamander Soil
Don’t worry. Actual salamanders aren’t going to start popping out of the ground when you use this soil for kumquat trees. FoxFarm Salamander Soil is so-named because of how well it retains moisture to grow rich, fruitful kumquat trees.
Salamanders are known for their sleek, shiny skin, which they get because of their ability to retain moisture. FoxFarm Salamander Soil works in a very similar manner.
This potting soil can retain moisture because over half of it consists of Coco Coir, a soft, loamy soil. It can absorb and hold on to water as few other soils can, but it also drains very well when it gets overwatered.
Because this soil retains moisture well, you don’t have to add water nearly as often. In addition to Coco Coir, Salamander Soil has many soil microbes that are hand-blended specifically for this soil.
Pros
- Excellent moisture retention
- Adequate drainage and aeration to prevent root diseases
- Great for trees and plants of all sizes
- Compatible with any of FoxFarms’ many fertilizers
- Perfect for growing kumquat trees in dry areas
Cons
- Not great for places with lots of rain
Budget Choice
Citrus Tree Potting Mix
Most of the options we’ve looked at thus far for the best soil for kumquat trees have been pricy. So, if you’re looking for excellent kumquat tree soil without spending an arm and a leg, you should consider Citrus Tree Potting Mix.
As the name indicates, Citrus Tree Potting Mix from Soil Sunrise is a great, all-around soil for citrus trees, including kumquats. It’s very loamy and well-draining and consists mainly of peat moss, dirt, sand, lime, perlite, and earthworm castings.
Its texture and composition allow for this soil to drain well when you water it but retain moisture during dry periods. Like all the other soils on this list, Citrus Tree Potting Mix is made from all-natural ingredients and contains no additives or chemicals.
Pros
- 100% natural and doesn’t have chemicals or additives
- Very affordable with multiple bag size options
- Drains well and has good moisture retention
- Great aeration for improved growth
Cons
- Not quite as good as some of the higher-priced soils on this list
Black Gold Natural and Organic Potting Soil
If you liked the Black Gold product above but didn’t want CRF or unnatural fertilizer in the mix, you should consider Black Gold Natural and Organic Potting Soil. Unlike the All Purpose Potting Mix, this organic potting soil is strictly soil-based and contains no additives or chemicals.
It’s also 100% organic and only uses natural ingredients from renewable resources. It has many ingredients that our top option has, except for fertilizer.
- Compost
- Bark
- Cinders
- Pumice
- Canadian Sphagnum Peat Moss
- Worm Castings
Like all of the top options for the best soil for kumquat trees, the texture and composition of this soil are loamy. It has excellent drainage and moisture retention, as well as top-notch aeration.
While this soil is great for kumquat trees, it’s an all-purpose soil that you can use for nearly anything. It’s known for growing plants and trees that are extremely strong and fruitful and that have durable stems and roots.
Pros
- 100% organic and natural with zero additives or chemicals
- Provides excellent drainage, aeration, and water retention
- Perfect for all manner of garden and potted plants
- Provides strength and stability for root systems
Cons
- Not a potting mix, which means it doesn’t have fertilizer
Earth Home Grown Vegetable Soil
Yes, I realize that the label on this bag says vegetable soil instead of fruit or citrus. However, while Dr. Earth Home Grown Vegetable Soil is geared towards vegetables, the texture and ingredients are perfect for kumquats and other citrus fruits.
For starters, the soil is 100% organic and contains no GMOs, additives, chemicals, or unnatural ingredients. It’s also loamy and well-draining but can retain moisture during dry spells.
Like many of Dr. Earth’s other potting soils and mixes, this option contains TruBiotic, which is like Dr. Earth’s version of a secret sauce for plants. It contains all the nutrients that kumquat trees need to thrive and survive, making it so that this potting soil doesn’t require manure or other nasty additives.
While the label says this potting soil is for vegetables, it will make an excellent base for your kumquat trees.
Pros
- 100% organic and natural
- Doesn’t have manure or other feces
- Excellent multi-purpose soil
- Made from sustainable and renewable resources
- Contains TruBiotic
Cons
- It could be pricy for multiple trees
How to Choose the Best Soil for Kumquat Trees
Budget
Your budget is the first consideration when choosing the best soil for kumquat trees. While most of the options on this list are fairly expensive, a few are more affordable.
You don’t want to go broke on soil, but you also don’t want to be stingy and get cheap soil that doesn’t have any of the things Kumquat trees need to grow.
Composition and Texture
One of the main things to consider when choosing the best soil for kumquat trees is the composition and texture. Kumquat tree soil should be loamy, well-draining, and have adequate aeration and moisture retention.
Organic Vs. Non-Organic
Going organic versus choosing soil with additives and fertilizers is a huge debate for home growers. Organic soils are completely natural, but they also don’t have as much nutrient concentration as non-organic soil.
Ultimately, it’s entirely up to you regarding what type of soil you choose. Keep in mind, however, that organic potting soil is better for the environment and more sustainable than non-organic.
Wrapping Up the Best Soil for Kumquat Trees
As you can see, there’s no shortage of excellent options when choosing the best soil for kumquat trees. However, choosing the right soil is only step one when it comes to growing kumquat trees.
Check out our Kumquat Trees page for more information about kumquat trees and how to grow, care for, and harvest them. The rest of our kumquat-related blog posts and guides will help you on your citrus-growing journey.
- About the Author
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Jalin Coblentz was born and raised in northeast Ohio in the heart of farming country and grew up working in the family garden growing corn, tomatoes, potatoes, and a wide range of vegetables.
Canning and preservation were also a way of life for Jalin growing up, and he spent countless hours helping his mother, grandmother, and aunts with these duties. It’s now his passion to share his skills and knowledge with others to help them achieve their own growing goals.