When to Plant Cumquat 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 Cumquat 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
- Mar to Apr, Sep to Oct
- Sun
- Full sun
- Soil pH
- 6.6–7.3
The cumquat is the smallest and most cold hardy of the edible citrus. You eat the sweet skin and the sour flesh together. It grows well in a big pot, takes light frost once established, and fruits in winter.
Published · By GardenBuddy.au
Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Best Planting Window for Cool Temperate
- Jan -
- Feb -
- Mar P
- Apr P
- May -
- Jun -
- Jul -
- Aug -
- Sep P
- Oct P
- Nov -
- Dec -
P = Planting window
The smallest and most cold hardy of the edible citrus (GrowVeg). Nagami and Meiwa take about minus 7°C once hardened off, but new growth is tender. Bunnings NZ (a New Zealand site) lists cool temperate as suited. Plant so roots establish before winter.
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How to Grow Cumquat in Cool Temperate Australia
- Soil
- Fertile, free draining, slightly acidic soil (GrowVeg). Moist but well drained, enriched with organic matter (Bunnings NZ).
- Salt
- Sensitive. Struggles with salty bore water or salty soil. Give it rainwater if you can.
- pH Range
- 6.6-7.3
- Sunlight
- Full sun (GrowVeg, Bunnings NZ).
- Good companions
- Nasturtium, Basil, Peas, Borage, Lavender
- Keep away from
- Waterlogged ground, Frost pockets
Cool Temperate Growing Tips for Cumquat
Recommended Varieties
- Nagami (oval, cold hardy)
- Meiwa (round, sweeter)
Key Challenges
- Frost on new growth
- Slow fruiting
Pro Tips
- Sunny sheltered spot
- Large pot if needed
Pests and problems for Cumquat in Cool Temperate
Harvesting Cumquat
When ready: Pick fruit that is uniformly orange with firm skin (Bunnings NZ). Ripe fruit can stay on the tree for a few months without losing flavour.
How to harvest: Pick by hand. Fruit sets over several weeks, so harvest is staggered (GrowVeg).
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 Cumquat
When do you plant cumquat in Australia?
It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:
- Tropical (Cairns): Mar to May
- Subtropical (Brisbane): Mar to May, Sep to Nov
- Warm Temperate (Sydney): Mar to Apr, Sep to Nov
- Cool Temperate (Melbourne): Mar to Apr, Sep to Oct
- Cold / Highland (Canberra): Oct to Nov
- Arid / Semi-Arid (Alice Springs): Mar to Apr, Sep to Oct
- Mediterranean (Perth): Mar to Apr, Sep to Oct
When should I plant Cumquat in Melbourne?
The smallest and most cold hardy of the edible citrus (GrowVeg). Nagami and Meiwa take about minus 7°C once hardened off, but new growth is tender. Bunnings NZ (a New Zealand site) lists cool temperate as suited. Plant so roots establish before winter.
How do I know when Cumquat are ready to harvest?
Pick fruit that is uniformly orange with firm skin (Bunnings NZ). Ripe fruit can stay on the tree for a few months without losing flavour.
What are the best Cumquat varieties for Melbourne?
Recommended varieties for the Cool Temperate zone include: Nagami (oval, cold hardy), Meiwa (round, sweeter).
What grows well with Cumquat?
Good companion plants for Cumquat include: Nasturtium, Basil, Peas, Borage, Lavender.
Are cumquat salt tolerant?
No. Cumquat 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.