When to Plant Tamarind 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 Tamarind 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
- Nov to Feb
- Sun
- Full sun to part shade
Tamarind is a large tropical tree with pods of sweet tart pulp like dried apricot, popular in Asian dishes (Daleys). Daleys lists it as evergreen, height 20, frost tolerance medium, harvest September to March.
Published · By GardenBuddy.au
Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Best Planting Window for Arid / Semi-Arid
- Jan P
- Feb P
- Mar -
- Apr -
- May -
- Jun -
- Jul -
- Aug -
- Sep -
- Oct -
- Nov P
- Dec P
P = Planting window
You might be able to grow it here under the right conditions. It is naturalised in the coastal districts of northern WA and the northern NT (Weeds of Australia) and tolerates rocky ground and dry fruiting seasons (Morton), but inland frost cuts young growth at minus 1 degree (growables). No fruit months are sourced for this zone.
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How to Grow Tamarind in Arid / Semi-Arid Australia
- Soil
- Wide range from deep alluvial soil to rocky land and limestone; stands salt spray (Morton).
- Salt
- Sensitive. Struggles with salty bore water or salty soil. Give it rainwater if you can.
- Sunlight
- Full sun; no source gives a shade rating.
- Keep away from
- Bushland edges and creek lines, it naturalises (Weeds of Australia), Buildings, it is a 20 m tree (Daleys)
Arid / Semi-Arid Growing Tips for Tamarind
Recommended Varieties
- Seedling tamarind (Daleys)
Key Challenges
- Frost inland
- Water for young trees
Pro Tips
- Plant with the summer rains
- Water young trees through the first dry
Pests and problems for Tamarind in Arid / Semi-Arid
Harvesting Tamarind
When ready: Pods are brown and brittle; fruit may stay on the tree up to 6 months after maturity to dry (Morton).
How to harvest: Clip stalks so the shell is not damaged; never knock pods down with poles (Morton).
Storing and preserving tamarind
How to keep it
- dehydrating. Sun dry or steam pulp blocks for several days (Morton). Keeps: Months (Morton describes sun dried blocks).
- freezing. Shell, deseed, press pulp and freeze in portions. Keeps: Up to 12 months in a sealed container (NCHFP general guidance).
- fresh_storage. Leave pods to dry on the tree, shell, then press pulp with sugar into balls or salt into blocks (Morton). Keeps: Pods up to 6 months on the tree, then dry pods in a sealed jar; pulp blocks with sugar or salt keep for months (Morton).
- jams_sauces. Chutneys, curries, sauces, jams, jellies and drinks (Morton). Keeps: Use a tested chutney or sauce method.
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 Tamarind
When do you plant tamarind in Australia?
It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:
- Tropical (Cairns): Jan to Mar, Nov to Dec
- Subtropical (Brisbane): Oct to Dec
- Warm Temperate (Sydney): Nov to Dec
- Cool Temperate (Melbourne): not recommended
- Cold / Highland (Canberra): not recommended
- Arid / Semi-Arid (Alice Springs): Jan to Feb, Nov to Dec
- Mediterranean (Perth): Oct to Nov
When should I plant Tamarind in Alice Springs?
You might be able to grow it here under the right conditions. It is naturalised in the coastal districts of northern WA and the northern NT (Weeds of Australia) and tolerates rocky ground and dry fruiting seasons (Morton), but inland frost cuts young growth at minus 1 degree (growables). No fruit months are sourced for this zone.
How do I know when Tamarind are ready to harvest?
Pods are brown and brittle; fruit may stay on the tree up to 6 months after maturity to dry (Morton).
What are the best Tamarind varieties for Alice Springs?
Recommended varieties for the Arid / Semi-Arid zone include: Seedling tamarind (Daleys).
Are tamarind salt tolerant?
No. Tamarind are salt-sensitive, one of the more sensitive veggies. Use rainwater if your bore water is salty, or grow them in a raised bed of fresh mix if your soil is.
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.