When to Plant Kiwifruit 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 Kiwifruit 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
Kiwifruit is a vigorous deciduous climbing vine that needs a sturdy pergola or fence. Plants are male or female, so you need both. Plant dormant vines in winter.
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
Choose low chill varieties. Daleys lists Sweetie (very low chill, suited to the subtropics), H4 Female (crops well in subtropical areas), Dexter, Bruno and Waynes. Hayward needs more chill than most and is a poor pick here. Plant in winter while dormant (Love the Garden). Bruno ripens early May.
Want a nudge when it is sowing time?
One email a week with what is worth planting in the Subtropical zone right now, Kiwifruit included, plus which veg has jumped in price at the supermarket. Free, and you can stop it in one click.
How to Grow Kiwifruit in Subtropical Australia
- Soil
- Free draining soil. Kiwifruit hate wet feet (Love the Garden). Acidic soil suits it.
- Salt
- Sensitive. Struggles with salty bore water or salty soil. Give it rainwater if you can.
- Sunlight
- Full sun (Love the Garden).
- Keep away from
- Waterlogged soil, Frost pockets
Subtropical Growing Tips for Kiwifruit
Recommended Varieties
- Hayward (standard, needs more chill)
- Dexter, Bruno, Sweetie, Waynes, H4 (lower chill, Daleys)
- Kiwiberry Issai (hardy, self fertile)
Key Challenges
- Too little chill for Hayward
- Fruit fly
- Possums
Pro Tips
- Choose Sweetie, H4, Dexter or Bruno
- Plant dormant vines in winter
Pests and problems for Kiwifruit in Subtropical
Harvesting Kiwifruit
What kiwifruit costs in the shops right now, retailer by retailer, updated daily.
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 Kiwifruit
When do you plant kiwifruit 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): Jul to Aug
- Arid / Semi-Arid (Alice Springs): Jun to Aug
- Mediterranean (Perth): Jun to Aug
When should I plant Kiwifruit in Brisbane?
Choose low chill varieties. Daleys lists Sweetie (very low chill, suited to the subtropics), H4 Female (crops well in subtropical areas), Dexter, Bruno and Waynes. Hayward needs more chill than most and is a poor pick here. Plant in winter while dormant (Love the Garden). Bruno ripens early May.
What are the best Kiwifruit varieties for Brisbane?
Recommended varieties for the Subtropical zone include: Hayward (standard, needs more chill), Dexter, Bruno, Sweetie, Waynes, H4 (lower chill, Daleys), Kiwiberry Issai (hardy, self fertile).
Are kiwifruit salt tolerant?
No. Kiwifruit 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.