When to Plant Custard Apple 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.
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This Custard Apple 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
- Sep to Feb
- Sun
- Full sun
- Soil pH
- 6.6–7.3
Custard apple as grown in Australia is the atemoya, a cross of cherimoya and sugar apple; Pinks Mammoth and African Pride are the main Queensland types (Morton).
Published · By GardenBuddy.au
Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Best Planting Window for Subtropical
- Jan P
- Feb P
- Mar -
- Apr -
- May -
- Jun -
- Jul -
- Aug -
- Sep P
- Oct P
- Nov P
- Dec P
P = Planting window
The Sunshine Coast is the largest growing area, with Yeppoon giving the first fruit of the season and Lismore the southern end (Custard Apples Australia). Harvest March to August. Main bloom in Queensland is October to November (Morton). Planting months are our estimate: spring to summer, with regular water.
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How to Grow Custard Apple in Subtropical Australia
- Soil
- Fertile, sunny, well drained soil (Daleys). Intolerant of wet soil (IFAS); waterlogging is fatal (Morton). Mound up in clay.
- 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 (Daleys).
- Keep away from
- Frost pockets, Hot dry wind (Daleys), Wet or heavy soil (IFAS), Pond apple rootstock (NSW WeedWise)
Subtropical Growing Tips for Custard Apple
Recommended Varieties
- Pinks Mammoth (large fruit, lower yield, Daleys)
- African Pride (Daleys)
- Paxton Prolific (no hand pollination, Daleys)
- Late Gold for the Northern Rivers (Daleys)
Key Challenges
- Low natural fruit set without humidity
- Fruit fly
- Collar rot in wet clay
Pro Tips
- Hand pollinate with a soft brush in the morning (IFAS)
- Water regularly from flowering to harvest (Daleys)
Pests and problems for Custard Apple in Subtropical
Harvesting Custard Apple
When ready: Skin turns from green to yellowish green, the segments swell and flatten and a bloom appears on the skin (IFAS). Pick firm; fruit ripens off the tree at 18 to 24 degrees and will not ripen below 13 degrees (Custard Apples Australia).
How to harvest: Cut with a short stem, handle gently and let fruit soften at room temperature, then eat or refrigerate for 2 to 4 days (IFAS). Unripe fruit holds at 8 to 12 degrees for up to 5 days (Custard Apples Australia).
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 Custard Apple
When do you plant custard apple in Australia?
It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:
- Tropical (Cairns): Jan to Mar, Nov to Dec
- Subtropical (Brisbane): Jan to Feb, Sep to Dec
- Warm Temperate (Sydney): Sep to Nov
- Cool Temperate (Melbourne): not recommended
- Cold / Highland (Canberra): not recommended
- Arid / Semi-Arid (Alice Springs): not recommended
- Mediterranean (Perth): Sep to Nov
When should I plant Custard Apple in Brisbane?
The Sunshine Coast is the largest growing area, with Yeppoon giving the first fruit of the season and Lismore the southern end (Custard Apples Australia). Harvest March to August. Main bloom in Queensland is October to November (Morton). Planting months are our estimate: spring to summer, with regular water.
How do I know when Custard Apple are ready to harvest?
Skin turns from green to yellowish green, the segments swell and flatten and a bloom appears on the skin (IFAS). Pick firm; fruit ripens off the tree at 18 to 24 degrees and will not ripen below 13 degrees (Custard Apples Australia).
What are the best Custard Apple varieties for Brisbane?
Recommended varieties for the Subtropical zone include: Pinks Mammoth (large fruit, lower yield, Daleys), African Pride (Daleys), Paxton Prolific (no hand pollination, Daleys), Late Gold for the Northern Rivers (Daleys).
Are custard apple salt tolerant?
No. Custard apple 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.