When to Plant Quince 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 Quince 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
- Days to harvest
- about 261 weeks
- Sun
- Full sun
- Soil pH
- 6.6–7.3
Quince is a hardy deciduous tree that suits colder areas and tolerates dry (SGA).
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
Daleys lists Smyrna quince for the subtropics and growers at Brighton, Burpengary, Beechmont and Montville in Queensland report on it. Full sun, good drainage, pH 6.6 to 7.3. In humid high rainfall areas a leaf fungus shows up; airflow fixed it for an Elands NSW grower. Harvest March to May. Planting months follow the dataset's deciduous tree convention, winter while dormant, as no opened source gives quince planting months.
Want a nudge when it is sowing time?
One email a week with what is worth planting in the Subtropical zone right now, Quince included, plus which veg has jumped in price at the supermarket. Free, and you can stop it in one click.
How to Grow Quince in Subtropical Australia
Subtropical Growing Tips for Quince
Recommended Varieties
- Smyrna (Daleys)
Key Challenges
- Leaf fungus in humid weather
- Fruit fly not sourced; watch for it
Pro Tips
- Prune for airflow
- Full sun
Pests and problems for Quince in Subtropical
Harvesting Quince
When ready: Fruit turns from green to full yellow and smells strongly; March to May (Daleys).
How to harvest: Twist or cut the fruit off; it bruises, so handle gently.
Storing and preserving quince
How to keep it
- Freezing. Poach, cool, freeze in portions. Keeps: 8 to 12 months.
- Quince jelly. NCHFP quince jelly without pectin, water bath 5 minutes at sea level. Keeps: 1 year.
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 Quince
When do you plant quince 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 Quince in Brisbane?
Daleys lists Smyrna quince for the subtropics and growers at Brighton, Burpengary, Beechmont and Montville in Queensland report on it. Full sun, good drainage, pH 6.6 to 7.3. In humid high rainfall areas a leaf fungus shows up; airflow fixed it for an Elands NSW grower. Harvest March to May. Planting months follow the dataset's deciduous tree convention, winter while dormant, as no opened source gives quince planting months.
How do I know when Quince are ready to harvest?
Fruit turns from green to full yellow and smells strongly; March to May (Daleys).
What are the best Quince varieties for Brisbane?
Recommended varieties for the Subtropical zone include: Smyrna (Daleys).
What grows well with Quince?
Good companion plants for Quince include: Nasturtium, Chives, Dill, Garlic, Comfrey.
Are quince salt tolerant?
No. Quince 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.