When to Plant Tamarillo 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 Tamarillo 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
- Aug to Jan
- Days to harvest
- about 86 weeks
- Sun
- Full sun to part shade
- Soil pH
- 5.8–7.0
Tamarillo, the tree tomato, is a fast growing small tree that fruits from about 18 months and lives 2 to 5 years (Green Harvest).
Published · By GardenBuddy.au
Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Planting Calendar for Subtropical
- Jan T
- Feb -
- Mar -
- Apr -
- May -
- Jun -
- Jul -
- Aug S
- Sep S
- Oct S/T
- Nov S/T
- Dec S/T
S = Seed Tray T = Transplant D = Direct Sow
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How to Grow Tamarillo in Subtropical Australia
- Soil
- Rich, free draining; will not take wet feet (Green Harvest, Seed Collection).
- Salt
- Sensitive. Struggles with salty bore water or salty soil. Give it rainwater if you can.
- pH Range
- 5.8-7.0
- Sunlight
- Full sun; partial shade in the tropics (Yates).
- Keep away from
- Beds that had wilt in tomatoes or potatoes (Seed Collection), Windy spots
Subtropical Growing Tips for Tamarillo
Recommended Varieties
- Red
- Gold (Daleys)
Key Challenges
- Fruit fly
- Wind
- Wet feet
Pro Tips
- Replace every 2 to 5 years (Green Harvest)
- Stake and mulch
Pests and problems for Tamarillo in Subtropical
Harvesting Tamarillo
When ready: Full red or gold colour and a slight give; fruit forms in autumn (Yates).
How to harvest: Twist or cut with a short stalk.
Storing and preserving tamarillo
How to keep it
- Freezing. Scald, peel, freeze halves or puree. Keeps: 8 to 12 months.
- Chutney or sauce. Tested recipe base, water bath for altitude (NCHFP). 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 Tamarillo
When do you plant tamarillo in Australia?
It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:
- Tropical (Cairns): all year
- Subtropical (Brisbane): Jan, Aug to Dec
- Warm Temperate (Sydney): Aug to Nov
- Cool Temperate (Melbourne): Sep to Nov
- Cold / Highland (Canberra): not recommended
- Arid / Semi-Arid (Alice Springs): Aug to Dec
- Mediterranean (Perth): Aug to Nov
Can you grow tamarillo all year round in Brisbane?
No. In the Subtropical zone the planting months are Jan, Aug to Dec. Outside that window it either bolts, sulks or gets cut down by the weather.
When should I plant Tamarillo in Brisbane?
Suits the subtropics (Green Harvest, Daleys, Yates). Sow in trays from late winter and plant out in spring once frosts are over (Green Harvest, Seed Collection); the Seed Collection chart allows subtropical sowing August to January. Shelter from wind, since branches snap (Yates). Fruit forms in autumn (Yates). Plants live 2 to 5 years (Green Harvest), so start a new one every couple of years.
How do I know when Tamarillo are ready to harvest?
Full red or gold colour and a slight give; fruit forms in autumn (Yates).
What are the best Tamarillo varieties for Brisbane?
Recommended varieties for the Subtropical zone include: Red, Gold (Daleys).
Are tamarillo salt tolerant?
No. Tamarillo 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.