When to Plant Breadfruit in Brisbane, Subtropical Guide

Out of season. Next window opens in November
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.

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  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 Breadfruit 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
Nov to Feb
Sun
Full sun
Soil pH
5.5–6.2

Breadfruit is a strictly tropical tree with a canopy about 20 m across, grown around Cairns for its starchy 1 to 2 kg fruit that is cooked as a vegetable (Queensland DPI&F).

Published · By GardenBuddy.au
Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.

Breadfruit

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Best Planting Window for Subtropical

  • 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. Daleys says the tree is for hot tropical areas and not suitable for temperate climates, and the Queensland notes call it strictly tropical; a Brisbane review claims large trees grow there and one grower raised a tree from a root sucker on the NSW north coast. Temperatures around 8 degrees make the tree suffer and extended cold kills it (Queensland DPI&F). No source gives harvest months here, so none are listed. Plant in summer in the warmest sheltered spot.

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How to Grow Breadfruit in Subtropical Australia

Soil
Deep, free draining soil, mulched, never swampy (Queensland DPI&F).
Salt
Sensitive. Struggles with salty bore water or salty soil. Give it rainwater if you can.
pH Range
5.5-6.2
Sunlight
Full sun for mature trees; young trees need protection from strong sun, wind and cold (Queensland DPI&F).
Keep away from
Septic systems, pipes and foundations within 20 m (Queensland DPI&F), Windy sites (Queensland DPI&F), Swampy ground (Queensland DPI&F)

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Subtropical Growing Tips for Breadfruit

Recommended Varieties

  • Noli, the hardiest listed (Queensland DPI&F)

Key Challenges

  • Cold nights around 8 degrees (Queensland DPI&F)
  • Slow growth

Pro Tips

  • Warmest sheltered corner near a wall
  • Try only on the coast north of Brisbane

Pests and problems for Breadfruit in Subtropical

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

Browse the full pest library →

Harvesting Breadfruit

When ready: Mature fruit shows drops of white sap on a smoother skin (Queensland DPI&F; Morton). Fruit can be picked half grown to mature green for cooking as a starchy vegetable (Queensland DPI&F).

How to harvest: Pick early in the morning with a pole and catch the fruit; stems bleed sticky latex (Queensland DPI&F). Fruit ripens soft in a day or two unless held at 10 to 13 degrees (Queensland DPI&F).

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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 Breadfruit

When do you plant breadfruit in Australia?

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

When should I plant Breadfruit in Brisbane?

You might be able to grow it here under the right conditions. Daleys says the tree is for hot tropical areas and not suitable for temperate climates, and the Queensland notes call it strictly tropical; a Brisbane review claims large trees grow there and one grower raised a tree from a root sucker on the NSW north coast. Temperatures around 8 degrees make the tree suffer and extended cold kills it (Queensland DPI&F). No source gives harvest months here, so none are listed. Plant in summer in the warmest sheltered spot.

How do I know when Breadfruit are ready to harvest?

Mature fruit shows drops of white sap on a smoother skin (Queensland DPI&F; Morton). Fruit can be picked half grown to mature green for cooking as a starchy vegetable (Queensland DPI&F).

What are the best Breadfruit varieties for Brisbane?

Recommended varieties for the Subtropical zone include: Noli, the hardiest listed (Queensland DPI&F).

Are breadfruit salt tolerant?

No. Breadfruit 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.