When to Plant Abiu in Cairns, Tropical Guide
What this month normally looks like in Tropical
In October the Tropical zone normally runs 34°C by day and 23°C overnight, with about 53 mm of rain over 5 or 6 wet days. Averages 1991 to 2026, 37 postcodes, SILO.
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This Abiu guide is written for the Tropical zone, which takes in Cairns, Townsville and Darwin. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.
Not your zone? Brisbane Sydney Melbourne Canberra Alice Springs Perth
Also handy: will it frost this week? and what grows in shade.
- Planting window
- Nov to Mar
- Sun
- Full sun
- Soil pH
- 6.6–7.3
Abiu is a tropical and subtropical tree with bright yellow fruit and translucent sweet flesh. Daleys says it likes temperatures above 5 degrees, grows 3 to 8 m, taller in warmer climates, and ripens December to July.
Published · By GardenBuddy.au
Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Best Planting Window for Tropical
- Jan P
- Feb P
- Mar P
- Apr -
- May -
- Jun -
- Jul -
- Aug -
- Sep -
- Oct -
- Nov P
- Dec P
P = Planting window
Ripens December to July. A Cairns grower says it fruits several times a year. Planting months are our estimate for a nursery tree: plant in the warm, wet months so the roots settle before any dry or cool weather.
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How to Grow Abiu in Tropical Australia
- Soil
- Perfect drainage, sand or volcanic soil (Daleys). Fertile loam or clay with mulch (Daleys plant page). Suited to fertile wet soil, chlorotic on limestone (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 (Daleys).
- Keep away from
- Frost pockets (Daleys reviews), Limestone soil (Morton)
Tropical Growing Tips for Abiu
Recommended Varieties
- Seedling abiu (Daleys)
Key Challenges
- Fruit fly
Pro Tips
- Pick mostly green and ripen indoors (Daleys plant page)
- Plant two trees
Pests and problems for Abiu in Tropical
Harvesting Abiu
When ready: Smooth, tough, pale yellow skin and a fragrant smell when ripe (Morton). Pick mostly green and ripen indoors (Daleys plant page).
How to harvest: Clip fruit as it turns; ripen several days indoors (Daleys plant page).
Storing and preserving abiu
How to keep it
- freezing. Scoop ripe pulp, remove seeds, freeze in portions for ices (Morton). Keeps: Up to 12 months in a sealed container (NCHFP general guidance).
- fresh_storage. Pick mostly green, ripen on the bench until the skin is pale yellow and the fruit is soft. Keeps: Several days ripening indoors, then eat (Daleys plant page); no fridge figure found.
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 Abiu
When do you plant abiu 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): Jan to Feb, Oct to Dec
- Warm Temperate (Sydney): Nov to Dec
- 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 Abiu in Cairns?
Ripens December to July. A Cairns grower says it fruits several times a year. Planting months are our estimate for a nursery tree: plant in the warm, wet months so the roots settle before any dry or cool weather.
How do I know when Abiu are ready to harvest?
Smooth, tough, pale yellow skin and a fragrant smell when ripe (Morton). Pick mostly green and ripen indoors (Daleys plant page).
What are the best Abiu varieties for Cairns?
Recommended varieties for the Tropical zone include: Seedling abiu (Daleys).
Are abiu salt tolerant?
No. Abiu 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 Tropical zone, Cairns is its reference city.