When to Plant Apricot in Brisbane, Subtropical Guide
What this month normally looks like in Subtropical
In October the Subtropical zone normally runs 27°C by day and 15°C overnight, with about 77 mm of rain over 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, 33 postcodes, SILO.
Jump to section
This Apricot guide is written for the Subtropical zone, which takes in Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.
Not your zone? Cairns Sydney Melbourne Canberra Alice Springs Perth
Also handy: will it frost this week? and what grows in shade.
- Planting window
- Jun to Aug
- Sun
- Full sun
Apricot is a deciduous stone fruit that flowers early and ripens from October to February. It needs winter chill, and low chill varieties such as Glengarry and Sal extend it into the subtropics.
Published · By GardenBuddy.au
Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Best Planting Window for Subtropical
- Jan -
- Feb -
- Mar -
- Apr -
- May -
- Jun P
- Jul P
- Aug P
- Sep -
- Oct -
- Nov -
- Dec -
P = Planting window
Only low chill types suit the subtropics. Glengarry is one of a few that crop there, and Sal is listed for subtropical areas. Fruit ripens October to December. Fruit fly control is needed (Organic Gardener).
Want a nudge when it is sowing time?
One email a week with what is worth planting in the Subtropical zone right now, Apricot included, plus which veg has jumped in price at the supermarket. Free, and you can stop it in one click.
How to Grow Apricot in Subtropical Australia
- Soil
- Deep, well drained and moisture retentive, slightly alkaline soil (GrowVeg).
- Salt
- Sensitive. Struggles with salty bore water or salty soil. Give it rainwater if you can.
- Sunlight
- Full sun, to limit disease and produce good fruit (GrowVeg).
- Good companions
- Basil, Chives, Leek, Tansy
- Keep away from
- Capsicum
Subtropical Growing Tips for Apricot
Recommended Varieties
- Glengarry, Sal, low chill seedling (warm areas, Daleys)
- Bulida, Bentley, Fireball (about 450 to 500 hours)
- Hunter, Tilton (cooler, later)
Key Challenges
- Too little chill
- Fruit fly
Pro Tips
- Low chill varieties only
- Net the tree
Pests and problems for Apricot in Subtropical
Harvesting Apricot
When ready: Fruit is soft and pulls easily from the tree (GrowVeg).
How to harvest: Pull gently. Ripe fruit also falls.
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 Apricot
When do you plant apricot in Australia?
It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:
- Tropical (Cairns): not recommended
- Subtropical (Brisbane): Jun to Aug
- Warm Temperate (Sydney): Jun to Aug
- Cool Temperate (Melbourne): Jun to Aug
- Cold / Highland (Canberra): Jun to Aug
- Arid / Semi-Arid (Alice Springs): Jun to Aug
- Mediterranean (Perth): Jun to Aug
When should I plant Apricot in Brisbane?
Only low chill types suit the subtropics. Glengarry is one of a few that crop there, and Sal is listed for subtropical areas. Fruit ripens October to December. Fruit fly control is needed (Organic Gardener).
How do I know when Apricot are ready to harvest?
Fruit is soft and pulls easily from the tree (GrowVeg).
What are the best Apricot varieties for Brisbane?
Recommended varieties for the Subtropical zone include: Glengarry, Sal, low chill seedling (warm areas, Daleys), Bulida, Bentley, Fireball (about 450 to 500 hours), Hunter, Tilton (cooler, later).
What grows well with Apricot?
Good companion plants for Apricot include: Basil, Chives, Leek, Tansy.
Are apricot salt tolerant?
No. Apricot 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 Subtropical zone, Brisbane is its reference city.