When to Plant Cherry in Perth, Mediterranean Guide

Out of season. Next window opens in June
What this month normally looks like in Mediterranean

In October the Mediterranean zone normally runs 22°C by day and 10°C overnight, with about 38 mm of rain over 6 or 7 wet days. The coldest October night on record across the zone was -0.2°C, so a late frost is not out of the question. Averages 1991 to 2026, 19 postcodes, SILO.

Jump to section
  1. Planting calendar
  2. How to grow
  3. Local tips and varieties
  4. Pests and problems
  5. Harvesting
  6. Other zones and related crops
  7. Common questions

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This Cherry guide is written for the Mediterranean zone, which takes in Perth, Adelaide and Bunbury. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.

Not your zone? Cairns Brisbane Sydney Melbourne Canberra Alice Springs

Also handy: will it frost this week? and what grows in shade.

Planting window
Jun to Aug
Sun
Full sun
Soil pH
neutral (SGA)

Cherry is a deciduous tree that wants cold winters and a cooler, less humid climate. Most sweet cherries need 700 to 1400 chill hours, but a few low chill types fruit from November in warm areas.

Cherry

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Best Planting Window for Mediterranean

  • Jan -
  • Feb -
  • Mar -
  • Apr -
  • May -
  • Jun P
  • Jul P
  • Aug P
  • Sep -
  • Oct -
  • Nov -
  • Dec -

P = Planting window

No Mediterranean zone source. Cherries need cold winters (SGA), and mild coastal winters may give too little chill. Pick lower chill types. Harvest months are our estimate from SGA variety dates.

Want a nudge when it is sowing time?

One email a week with what is worth planting in the Mediterranean zone right now, Cherry included, plus which veg has jumped in price at the supermarket. Free, and you can stop it in one click.

How to Grow Cherry in Mediterranean Australia

Soil
Deep, well draining soil rich in organic matter, neutral pH (SGA).
Salt
Sensitive. Struggles with salty bore water or salty soil. Give it rainwater if you can.
pH Range
neutral (SGA)
Sunlight
Full sun (SGA).
Good companions
Chives, Dill, Borage, Thyme, Calendula
Keep away from
Fennel, Mint, Sunflower, Sweet Corn

Members see the exact salt threshold, how much harvest it loses as salt rises, and what to grow instead. See what members get

Mediterranean Growing Tips for Cherry

Recommended Varieties

  • Minnie Royal, Royal Lee, Royal Crimson, Pretty Gully (low chill, Daleys)
  • Lapins, Stella, Sunburst, Starkrimson (self fertile)
  • Black Boy, Trixzie White Cherree (cool climates)

Key Challenges

  • Mild winters
  • Birds

Pro Tips

  • Lower chill types
  • Net the tree

Pests and problems for Cherry in Mediterranean

Members see each pest score and pest risk alerts for your area. See what members get

Browse the full pest library →

Harvesting Cherry

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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

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Common Questions About Cherry

When do you plant cherry in Australia?

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

When should I plant Cherry in Perth?

No Mediterranean zone source. Cherries need cold winters (SGA), and mild coastal winters may give too little chill. Pick lower chill types. Harvest months are our estimate from SGA variety dates.

What are the best Cherry varieties for Perth?

Recommended varieties for the Mediterranean zone include: Minnie Royal, Royal Lee, Royal Crimson, Pretty Gully (low chill, Daleys), Lapins, Stella, Sunburst, Starkrimson (self fertile), Black Boy, Trixzie White Cherree (cool climates).

What grows well with Cherry?

Good companion plants for Cherry include: Chives, Dill, Borage, Thyme, Calendula.

Are cherry salt tolerant?

No. Cherry 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 Mediterranean zone, Perth is its reference city.