When to Plant Mandarin 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 Mandarin 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 Nov
- Sun
- Full sun
- Soil pH
- 6.0–7.0
- Shop price
- $4.13/kg
Easy-peel citrus that's extremely popular in Australian home gardens. Huge variety range from early to late season, covering harvest from April to November. Imperial is the classic Australian variety.
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 -
- Jul -
- Aug -
- Sep P
- Oct P
- Nov P
- Dec -
P = Planting window
Imperial ripens from April, and later varieties such as Murcott carry on into spring. Plant in spring.
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How to Grow Mandarin in Subtropical Australia
- Soil
- Well-drained, slightly acidic. Reasonable tolerance of various soils.
- Salt
- Sensitive. Struggles with salty bore water or salty soil. Give it rainwater if you can.
- pH Range
- 6.0-7.0
- Sunlight
- Full sun. 6+ hours direct.
- Good companions
- Nasturtium, Basil, Garlic, Marigold, Comfrey
- Keep away from
- Grass to trunk
Subtropical Growing Tips for Mandarin
Recommended Varieties
- Imperial (early, May-Jul)
- Murcott (late, Aug-Oct)
- Emperor (mid, Jul-Aug)
- Ellendale (late)
Key Challenges
- Citrus gall wasp
- Fruit fly
- Alternaria on susceptible varieties
Pro Tips
- Plant early + mid + late varieties for harvest from April to October.
- Imperial is the classic Australian mandarin, reliable and productive.
- Net for fruit fly. Mandarins are prime targets.
Pests and problems for Mandarin in Subtropical
Harvesting Mandarin
When ready: Full colour development (orange). Easy peel test, skin separates easily. Taste test is definitive. Sweeter the longer left on tree (within reason).
How to harvest: Cut with secateurs leaving short stub, or twist-pull gently.
Storing and preserving mandarin
How to keep it
- Juice freezing. Juice and freeze in ice cube trays. Keeps: 12 months.
- Dehydrated slices. Slice 3-4mm, dehydrate at 55°C for 10-12 hours. Keeps: 12 months.
- Segments in syrup. Peel, segment, remove pith. Pack in light sugar syrup in sterilised jars. Water bath 15 minutes. Keeps: 12 months.
- Marmalade. Slice whole fruit, soak overnight, cook with sugar to setting point. Keeps: 12 months.
What mandarin 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 Mandarin
When do you plant mandarin in Australia?
It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:
- Tropical (Cairns): Oct to Dec
- Subtropical (Brisbane): Sep to Nov
- Warm Temperate (Sydney): Mar to Apr, Sep to Nov
- Cool Temperate (Melbourne): Sep to Nov
- Cold / Highland (Canberra): Oct to Nov
- Arid / Semi-Arid (Alice Springs): Mar to Apr, Sep to Oct
- Mediterranean (Perth): Apr to May, Sep to Nov
When should I plant Mandarin in Brisbane?
Imperial ripens from April, and later varieties such as Murcott carry on into spring. Plant in spring.
How do I know when Mandarin are ready to harvest?
Full colour development (orange). Easy peel test, skin separates easily. Taste test is definitive. Sweeter the longer left on tree (within reason).
What are the best Mandarin varieties for Brisbane?
Recommended varieties for the Subtropical zone include: Imperial (early, May-Jul), Murcott (late, Aug-Oct), Emperor (mid, Jul-Aug), Ellendale (late).
What grows well with Mandarin?
Good companion plants for Mandarin include: Nasturtium, Basil, Garlic, Marigold, Comfrey.
Are mandarin salt tolerant?
No. Mandarin 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.