When to Plant Citron 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 Citron 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
- Mar to May, Sep to Oct
- Days to harvest
- about 129 weeks
- Sun
- Full sun
- Soil pH
- 6.0–7.5
Citron is a frost-tender, semi-dwarf evergreen citrus tree that grows 2 to 3 m tall and wide. It produces large, fragrant yellow fruit with thick peel and little pulp, used mainly for peel, candying and zest.
Published · By GardenBuddy.au
Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Planting Calendar for Tropical
- Jan -
- Feb -
- Mar ✓
- Apr ✓
- May ✓
- Jun -
- Jul -
- Aug -
- Sep ✓
- Oct ✓
- Nov -
- Dec -
S = Seed Tray T = Transplant D = Direct Sow
Want a nudge when it is sowing time?
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How to Grow Citron in Tropical Australia
- Soil
- Deep, well-draining sandy loam or rich loamy soil
- Salt
- Sensitive. Struggles with salty bore water or salty soil. Give it rainwater if you can.
- pH Range
- 6.0-7.5
- Sunlight
- Full sun, at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sun a day
- Spacing
- 300-400cm apart, 400cm between rows
- Watering
- Water deeply every two to three weeks once established, more in hot dry weather; mulch 10cm deep away from the trunk
- Good companions
- Nasturtium, Chives, Garlic, Comfrey, Lemongrass
Tropical Growing Tips for Citron
Recommended Varieties
- Buddha's Hand: Thrives in warm, frost-free climates with continuous growth and heavy aromatic fruit production
Key Challenges
- Citrus Leafminer: Cosmetic mainly
- Queensland Fruit Fly: Destroys ripe fruit
- Bronze orange bug: Sap sucking causes shoot dieback and fruit drop
- Scale Insects: Sap sucking reduces vigour
Pro Tips
- Apply balanced organic citrus fertiliser three times a year in early spring, summer, and early autumn, supplementing with zinc, iron, and trace elements
- Apply a 5 to 10 cm layer of organic mulch around the dripline, keeping it 10 cm away from the trunk to prevent collar rot
- Stake young trees loosely using flexible ties to protect the main graft union and stem against strong winds
Pests and problems for Citron in Tropical
- Root Rot in Poorly Drained Soil Plant in well-drained soil in full sun and avoid waterlogging. Mound soil and keep mulch off the trunk. Watch
- Queensland Fruit Fly Queensland Fruit Fly: Destroys ripe fruit Watch
- Bronze orange bug Bronze orange bug: Sap sucking causes shoot dieback and fruit drop Watch
- Scale Insects Scale Insects: Sap sucking reduces vigour Watch
Harvesting Citron
When ready: Thick, bumpy rind turns fully bright yellow or yellow-green and gives off a strong citrus fragrance
How to harvest: Clip fruit stem cleanly close to the rind using sharp secateurs to avoid tearing skin
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 Citron
When do you plant citron in Australia?
It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:
- Tropical (Cairns): Mar to May, Sep to Oct
- Subtropical (Brisbane): Mar to May, Sep to Oct
- Warm Temperate (Sydney): Mar to Apr, Sep to Oct
- Cool Temperate (Melbourne): Sep to Nov
- Cold / Highland (Canberra): not recommended
- Arid / Semi-Arid (Alice Springs): Mar to Apr, Sep
- Mediterranean (Perth): Mar to Apr, Sep to Oct
Can you grow citron all year round in Cairns?
No. In the Tropical zone the planting months are Mar to May, Sep to Oct. Outside that window it either bolts, sulks or gets cut down by the weather.
When should I plant Citron in Cairns?
Plant in free-draining soil during dry or early wet season in full sun to prevent root waterlogging.
How do I know when Citron are ready to harvest?
Thick, bumpy rind turns fully bright yellow or yellow-green and gives off a strong citrus fragrance
What are the best Citron varieties for Cairns?
Recommended varieties for the Tropical zone include: Buddha's Hand: Thrives in warm, frost-free climates with continuous growth and heavy aromatic fruit production.
What grows well with Citron?
Good companion plants for Citron include: Nasturtium, Chives, Garlic, Comfrey, Lemongrass.
Are citron salt tolerant?
No. Citron 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.