When to Plant Rambutan 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 Rambutan 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.
- Sun
- Full sun
- Soil pH
- 6.6–7.3
Rambutan is a tropical tree to 10 m or more, a relative of lychee and longan, with hairy red fruit and sweet white flesh in February and March (Daleys).
Published · By GardenBuddy.au
Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Best Planting Window for Subtropical
Rambutan is not recommended for Subtropical.
Daleys says rambutan is very cold sensitive and for the tropics only, and the plant cannot be sent south of Queensland. It wants 22 to 30 degrees and dies in cold (Morton).
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How to Grow Rambutan in Subtropical Australia
- Soil
- Deep, rich, perfectly drained soil, never waterlogged (Daleys; Morton).
- 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 with shelter from wind (Daleys).
- Keep away from
- Wet or heavy ground (Daleys), Windy sites (Daleys)
Subtropical Growing Tips for Rambutan
Key Challenges
- Cold
Pests and problems for Rambutan in Subtropical
Harvesting Rambutan
When ready: Rind and spines turn fully red (or yellow in some types); fruit does not ripen further after picking (Morton).
How to harvest: Cut the whole fruit cluster with secateurs; snapping single fruit shortens their keeping (Morton). Pick promptly, as over ripe fruit draws fruit flies (Morton).
What members get
- Soil and weather from your nearest station
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- Price history and price alerts
- Pest risk alerts for your area
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Common Questions About Rambutan
When do you plant rambutan 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): not recommended
- Warm Temperate (Sydney): not recommended
- Cool Temperate (Melbourne): not recommended
- Cold / Highland (Canberra): not recommended
- Arid / Semi-Arid (Alice Springs): not recommended
- Mediterranean (Perth): not recommended
When should I plant Rambutan in Brisbane?
Daleys says rambutan is very cold sensitive and for the tropics only, and the plant cannot be sent south of Queensland. It wants 22 to 30 degrees and dies in cold (Morton).
How do I know when Rambutan are ready to harvest?
Rind and spines turn fully red (or yellow in some types); fruit does not ripen further after picking (Morton).
Are rambutan salt tolerant?
No. Rambutan 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.