When to Plant Citron in Melbourne, Cool Temperate Guide
What this month normally looks like in Cool Temperate
In October the Cool Temperate zone normally runs 19°C by day and 8°C overnight, with about 67 mm of rain over 9 or 10 wet days. The coldest October night on record across the zone was -3.0°C, so a late frost is not out of the question. Averages 1991 to 2026, 28 postcodes, SILO.
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This Citron guide is written for the Cool Temperate zone, which takes in Melbourne, Hobart and Geelong. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.
Not your zone? Cairns Brisbane Sydney Canberra Alice Springs Perth
Also handy: will it frost this week? and what grows in shade.
- Planting window
- Sep to Nov
- Days to harvest
- about 129 weeks
- Sun
- Full sun
- Soil pH
- 6.0–7.5
Citron is a frost-tender, semi-dwarf evergreen citrus tree that grows 2 to 3 m tall and wide. It produces large, fragrant yellow fruit with thick peel and little pulp, used mainly for peel, candying and zest.
Published · By GardenBuddy.au
Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Planting Calendar for Cool Temperate
- Jan -
- Feb -
- Mar -
- Apr -
- May -
- Jun -
- Jul -
- Aug -
- Sep ✓
- Oct ✓
- Nov ✓
- Dec -
S = Seed Tray T = Transplant D = Direct Sow
Want a nudge when it is sowing time?
One email a week with what is worth planting in the Cool Temperate zone right now, Citron included, plus which veg has jumped in price at the supermarket. Free, and you can stop it in one click.
How to Grow Citron in Cool Temperate Australia
- Soil
- Deep, well-draining sandy loam or rich loamy soil
- Salt
- Sensitive. Struggles with salty bore water or salty soil. Give it rainwater if you can.
- pH Range
- 6.0-7.5
- Sunlight
- Full sun, at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sun a day
- Spacing
- 300-400cm apart, 400cm between rows
- Watering
- Water deeply every two to three weeks once established, more in hot dry weather; mulch 10cm deep away from the trunk
- Good companions
- Nasturtium, Chives, Garlic, Comfrey, Lemongrass
Cool Temperate Growing Tips for Citron
Key Challenges
- Citrus Leafminer: Cosmetic mainly
- Bronze orange bug: Sap sucking causes shoot dieback and fruit drop
- Scale Insects: Sap sucking reduces vigour
- Root Rot in Poorly Drained Soil: Well drained soil is essential (RFC Archives)
Pro Tips
- Apply balanced organic citrus fertiliser three times a year in early spring, summer, and early autumn, supplementing with zinc, iron, and trace elements
- Apply a 5 to 10 cm layer of organic mulch around the dripline, keeping it 10 cm away from the trunk to prevent collar rot
- Stake young trees loosely using flexible ties to protect the main graft union and stem against strong winds
Pests and problems for Citron in Cool Temperate
Harvesting Citron
When ready: Thick, bumpy rind turns fully bright yellow or yellow-green and gives off a strong citrus fragrance
How to harvest: Clip fruit stem cleanly close to the rind using sharp secateurs to avoid tearing skin
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 Citron
When do you plant citron in Australia?
It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:
- Tropical (Cairns): Mar to May, Sep to Oct
- Subtropical (Brisbane): Mar to May, Sep to Oct
- Warm Temperate (Sydney): Mar to Apr, Sep to Oct
- Cool Temperate (Melbourne): Sep to Nov
- Cold / Highland (Canberra): not recommended
- Arid / Semi-Arid (Alice Springs): Mar to Apr, Sep
- Mediterranean (Perth): Mar to Apr, Sep to Oct
Can you grow citron all year round in Melbourne?
No. In the Cool Temperate 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 Citron in Melbourne?
Citron is frost tender, so grow it in a large pot you can move under cover in winter, or in a sheltered, sunny spot against a warm wall.
How do I know when Citron are ready to harvest?
Thick, bumpy rind turns fully bright yellow or yellow-green and gives off a strong citrus fragrance
What grows well with Citron?
Good companion plants for Citron include: Nasturtium, Chives, Garlic, Comfrey, Lemongrass.
Are citron salt tolerant?
No. Citron 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 Cool Temperate zone, Melbourne is its reference city.