When to Plant Avocado in Cairns, Tropical Guide

Plant October to November. Right now in September it is out of season. The next planting month is October.

Published · Last reviewed · By Garden Buddy
Growing advice is reviewed by hand. Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.

This Avocado 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.

Avocado

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Evergreen subtropical tree that has become Australia's most fashionable fruit. Three races: Mexican (cold-hardy, small fruit), Guatemalan (medium hardiness), and West Indian (tropical only). Most commercial varieties are Guatemalan or Guatemalan-Mexican hybrids. Hass dominates but is not the only option. Trees can become VERY large (15m+) if not managed. Grafted trees fruit in 3-5 years; seedlings are a genetic lottery and take 7-15 years.

Best Planting Window for Tropical

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
- - - - - - - - - P P -

P = Planting window

Plant at start of wet season (October-November) for establishment. Avoid planting in heavy wet season rains.

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How to Grow Avocado in Tropical Australia

When to Plant

Plant at start of wet season (October-November) for establishment. Avoid planting in heavy wet season rains.

Soil
Extremely well-drained, slightly acidite to neutral. Avocados CANNOT tolerate waterlogged roots. Phytophthora root rot is the #1 killer. Sandy loam ideal. Heavy clay is death. If you have clay, build a raised mound 50-60cm high.
pH Range
5.5-6.5
Sunlight
Full sun. Protect young trees from harsh afternoon sun with shade cloth for first 2 years.

Companion plants: Comfrey, Sweet potato ground cover, Nasturtium

Avoid planting near: Anything that needs regular digging around root zone. Avocado roots are shallow and easily damaged

Tropical Growing Tips for Avocado

Recommended Varieties

  • Shepard (B-type, excellent tropical performer)
  • Wurtz/Littlecado (A-type, compact)
  • Reed (A-type, large round fruit)
  • Choquette

Key Challenges

  • Extreme humidity drives Phytophthora and anthracnose
  • Cyclone damage to mature trees
  • Poor fruit set in very high temperatures

Pro Tips

  • Drainage is absolutely critical, raised mounds essential.
  • Shepard is the best tropical commercial variety for good reason.
  • Mulch heavily but keep mulch 30cm from trunk.

Harvesting Avocado

When ready: Avocados do NOT ripen on the tree. Harvest when fruit reaches full size and skin begins to lose glossy sheen (Hass turns slightly purple-black). Pick one and leave at room temperature. If it ripens evenly in 7-10 days without rubbery texture, the crop is ready.

How to harvest: Cut stem with secateurs leaving 1cm stub. Never pull fruit. Handle gently. Bruises show as brown flesh.

Where to next

What avocado costs in the shops right now, retailer by retailer, updated daily.

Also worth sowing in the tropical zone this September: Lemongrass, Ginger, Cucumber and Basil.

The pest most likely to find your avocado: Rats and Mice.

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Common Questions About Avocado

When do you plant avocado in Australia?

It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:

Which zone am I in?

Type your postcode into the box under the heading and the page 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.