When to Plant Curry Leaf in Alice Springs, Arid / Semi-Arid Guide
What this month normally looks like in Arid / Semi-Arid
In October the Arid / Semi-Arid zone normally runs 32°C by day and 16°C overnight, with about 19 mm of rain over 2 or 3 wet days. The coldest October night on record across the zone was 1.9°C, so a late frost is not out of the question. Averages 1991 to 2026, 10 postcodes, SILO.
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This Curry Leaf guide is written for the Arid / Semi-Arid zone, which takes in Alice Springs, Broken Hill and Port Augusta. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.
Not your zone? Cairns Brisbane Sydney Melbourne Canberra Perth
Also handy: will it frost this week? and what grows in shade.
- Planting window
- Sep to Nov
- Sun
- Full sun to part shade
Curry leaf is an evergreen tropical tree grown for its fragrant leaves. It likes warmth, sun and free draining soil.
Published · By GardenBuddy.au
Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Planting Calendar for Arid / Semi-Arid
- Jan -
- Feb -
- Mar -
- Apr -
- May -
- Jun -
- Jul -
- Aug -
- Sep T
- Oct T
- Nov T
- Dec -
S = Seed Tray T = Transplant D = Direct Sow
Want a nudge when it is sowing time?
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How to Grow Curry Leaf in Arid / Semi-Arid Australia
- Soil
- Free draining soil enriched with well rotted compost (Guildford Garden Centre). Adapts to most soils if well drained (Garden Express).
- Salt
- Moderately sensitive. Copes with a little salt, but the harvest drops on salty bore water.
- Sunlight
- Full sun to part shade (Garden Express). A sunny to semi shaded spot (Guildford Garden Centre).
Arid / Semi-Arid Growing Tips for Curry Leaf
Recommended Varieties
- Curry leaf (Murraya koenigii)
Key Challenges
- Frost when young
- Dry spells
Pro Tips
- Water regularly
- Shelter from cold nights
Pests and problems for Curry Leaf in Arid / Semi-Arid
Harvesting Curry Leaf
When ready: Pick leaves while they are green and full of flavour (Garden Express).
How to harvest: Pick leaves as needed. They do not keep well, so avoid storing them (Guildford Garden Centre).
Storing and preserving curry leaf
How to keep it
- Freezing. Freeze whole leaves (Garden Express).
What members get
- Soil and weather from your nearest station
- An email when it's time to sow
- Your own garden plan, including planning from a photo
- Price history and price alerts
- Pest risk alerts for your area
- Full salt and canning detail
Common Questions About Curry Leaf
When do you plant curry leaf in Australia?
It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:
- Tropical (Cairns): Jan to Mar, Sep to Dec
- Subtropical (Brisbane): Jan to Feb, Sep to Dec
- Warm Temperate (Sydney): Jan to Feb, Oct to Dec
- Cool Temperate (Melbourne): Jan, Nov to Dec
- Cold / Highland (Canberra): not recommended
- Arid / Semi-Arid (Alice Springs): Sep to Nov
- Mediterranean (Perth): Oct to Dec
Can you grow curry leaf all year round in Alice Springs?
No. In the Arid / Semi-Arid zone the planting months are Sep to Nov. Outside that window it either bolts, sulks or gets cut down by the weather.
When should I plant Curry Leaf in Alice Springs?
Drought tolerant and hardy once established (Guildford Garden Centre), but young trees are very frost sensitive and inland winters are cold. No arid source found. Needs regular water and a sheltered spot.
How do I know when Curry Leaf are ready to harvest?
Pick leaves while they are green and full of flavour (Garden Express).
What are the best Curry Leaf varieties for Alice Springs?
Recommended varieties for the Arid / Semi-Arid zone include: Curry leaf (Murraya koenigii).
Are curry leaf salt tolerant?
Only a little. Curry leaf are moderately sensitive to salt, so the harvest drops on salty bore water. Mix salty water with rainwater, and mulch the bed.
Which zone am I in?
Type your postcode into the box near the top of the page and it tells you, and links this crop in your own zone if it differs. Or look it up on the grow zone map. This page is the Arid / Semi-Arid zone, Alice Springs is its reference city.