When to Plant Avocado 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 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.
- Planting window
- Oct to Nov
- Sun
- Full sun to part shade
- Soil pH
- 5.5–6.5
- Shop price
- $8.19/kg at one shop
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).
Published · By GardenBuddy.au
Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Best Planting Window for Tropical
- Jan -
- Feb -
- Mar -
- Apr -
- May -
- Jun -
- Jul -
- Aug -
- Sep -
- Oct P
- Nov P
- Dec -
P = Planting window
Plant grafted trees on a mound at the start of the wet, never into waterlogged soil. Choose West Indian or hybrid types for the humid coast; Hass does best on the Tablelands.
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How to Grow Avocado in Tropical Australia
- Soil
- Extremely well-drained, slightly acidic 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.
- Salt
- Sensitive. Struggles with salty bore water or salty soil. Give it rainwater if you can.
- pH Range
- 5.5-6.5
- Sunlight
- Full sun. Protect young trees from harsh afternoon sun with shade cloth for first 2 years.
- Good companions
- Nasturtium, Comfrey
- Keep away from
- 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.
Pests and problems for Avocado in Tropical
- Queensland Fruit Fly Watch
- Phytophthora Root Rot DRAINAGE IS EVERYTHING. Plant on mounds in any soil heavier than sandy loam. Never over-water. Use resistant rootstocks (Dusa, Duke 7)... Watch
- Anthracnose Prune for open canopy. Pick fruit carefully without damage. Store in cool conditions. Healthy well-nourished trees have better resistance. Watch
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.
Storing and preserving avocado
How to keep it
- Freezing (puree). Mash ripe flesh with 1 tbsp lemon juice per avocado. Pack into containers leaving 1cm headspace. Freeze flat in zip-lock bags. Keeps: 4-6 months.
- Guacamole freezing. Make guacamole, press plastic wrap directly onto surface (no air), freeze in portions. Keeps: 3-4 months.
- Oil infusion. Avocado oil can be pressed at home with appropriate equipment but commercial pressing is more practical. Keeps: Variable.
What avocado costs in the shops right now, retailer by retailer, updated daily.
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 Avocado
When do you plant avocado in Australia?
It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:
- Tropical (Cairns): Oct to Nov
- Subtropical (Brisbane): Sep to Nov
- Warm Temperate (Sydney): Sep to Nov
- Cool Temperate (Melbourne): Oct to Nov
- Cold / Highland (Canberra): not recommended
- Arid / Semi-Arid (Alice Springs): Sep to Oct
- Mediterranean (Perth): Sep to Nov
When should I plant Avocado in Cairns?
Plant grafted trees on a mound at the start of the wet, never into waterlogged soil. Choose West Indian or hybrid types for the humid coast; Hass does best on the Tablelands.
How do I know when Avocado are ready to harvest?
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.
What are the best Avocado varieties for Cairns?
Recommended varieties for the Tropical zone include: Shepard (B-type, excellent tropical performer), Wurtz/Littlecado (A-type, compact), Reed (A-type, large round fruit), Choquette.
What grows well with Avocado?
Good companion plants for Avocado include: Nasturtium, Comfrey.
Are avocado salt tolerant?
No. Avocado 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.