When to Plant Persimmon in Alice Springs, Arid / Semi-Arid Guide

Planting window
Plant bare root with irrigation.
Sunlight
Full sun for best fruit. Tolerates part shade.
Soil pH
5.5-7.5

Published · Last reviewed · By GardenBuddy.au
Growing advice is reviewed by hand. Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.

This Persimmon 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.

Persimmon

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Underrated fruit tree that deserves far more attention in Australian gardens. Two types: astringent (must be fully soft/ripe before eating, mouth-puckeringly tannic if unripe) and non-astringent (can be eaten firm like an apple, Fuyu type). Beautiful ornamental tree with stunning autumn foliage. Very few pest and disease problems. Self-fertile (most varieties). Adapted to a wide range of climates from subtropical to cold-temperate. One of the easiest deciduous fruit trees to grow organically.

Best Planting Window for Arid / Semi-Arid

Plant bare root with irrigation.

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How to Grow Persimmon in Arid / Semi-Arid Australia

When to Plant

Plant bare root with irrigation.

Soil
Tolerates wide range of soils. Well-drained preferred but more tolerant of heavy soil than stone fruit.
pH Range
5.5-7.5
Sunlight
Full sun for best fruit. Tolerates part shade.

Companion plants: Anything, persimmons are undemanding

Avoid planting near: Nothing specific, very compatible tree

Arid / Semi-Arid Growing Tips for Persimmon

Recommended Varieties

  • Fuyu
  • Jiro

Key Challenges

  • Water during fruit development

Pro Tips

  • Persimmons tolerate dry conditions well once established. Good arid zone choice with some irrigation.

Harvesting Persimmon

When ready: Non-astringent (Fuyu): pick when fully coloured (orange) and still firm. Eat like an apple. Astringent (Hachiya): pick when fully coloured, ripen until completely soft (jelly-like). Eating astringent persimmon before fully soft = incredibly unpleasant tannic experience.

How to harvest: Cut with secateurs leaving calyx attached.

Where to next

What persimmon costs in the shops right now, retailer by retailer, updated daily.

Also worth sowing in the arid and semi-arid zone this September: Ginger, Lemongrass, Beetroot and Chilli Peppers.

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Common Questions About Persimmon

When do you plant persimmon in Australia?

It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:

Which zone am I in?

Type your postcode into the box under the heading and the page 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.