When to Plant Macadamia 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.
Jump to section
This Macadamia 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 Jan
- Sun
- Full sun to part shade
- Soil pH
- 5.0–6.5
Australia's only commercially significant native food plant. Large evergreen tree native to QLD/NSW rainforest. Two species: M. integrifolia (smooth shell, commercial) and M.
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 -
- Mar -
- Apr -
- May -
- Jun -
- Jul -
- Aug -
- Sep -
- Oct -
- Nov P
- Dec P
P = Planting window
Macadamias crop well on the Tablelands but poorly on the hot, humid coast. Plant grafted trees with the first rains and collect nuts as they fall.
Want a nudge when it is sowing time?
One email a week with what is worth planting in the Tropical zone right now, Macadamia included, plus which veg has jumped in price at the supermarket. Free, and you can stop it in one click.
How to Grow Macadamia in Tropical Australia
- Soil
- Well-drained, slightly acidic, volcanic or basaltic soils ideal (reflecting native habitat). Can grow in sandy soils with organic amendment. Cannot tolerate waterlogged conditions.
- Salt
- Moderately sensitive. Copes with a little salt, but the harvest drops on salty bore water.
- pH Range
- 5.0-6.5
- Sunlight
- Full sun for best production. Tolerates light shade.
- Good companions
- Native understorey plants, Coffee (traditional intercrop in Hawaii)
- Keep away from
- Buildings too close (large tree)
Tropical Growing Tips for Macadamia
Recommended Varieties
- A4 (M. integrifolia)
- HAES 344 (Kau)
- HAES 741
Key Challenges
- Cyclone damage to mature trees
- Nut borer
- High humidity disease pressure
Pro Tips
- M. integrifolia varieties for tropics.
- Wind protection important.
Pests and problems for Macadamia in Tropical
Harvesting Macadamia
When ready: Nuts fall from tree when mature (natural abscission). Husk splits or starts to brown. Harvest from ground. Do not pick from tree. Harvest every 2-3 weeks during drop season.
How to harvest: Collect fallen nuts from ground. Remove husk within 24 hours (prevents mould). Dry in-shell nuts in single layer in shade for 2-3 weeks.
Storing and preserving macadamia
How to keep it
- Freezing (kernel). Crack, vacuum seal or zip-lock bag kernels. Keeps: 12-24 months.
- In-shell storage. Dry husked nuts for 2-3 weeks in shade. Store in hessian bags in cool, dry, ventilated area. Keeps: 12+ months in-shell.
- Roasting. Crack shells (vice, hammer, or dedicated cracker, very hard shell). Roast kernels at 130°C for 15-20 minutes until golden. Keeps: 1 month room temp, 6 months refrigerated.
- Oil pressing. Cold press kernels for premium macadamia oil. Requires press equipment. Keeps: 12 months sealed, refrigerate after opening.
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 Macadamia
When do you plant macadamia in Australia?
It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:
- Tropical (Cairns): Jan, Nov to Dec
- Subtropical (Brisbane): Sep to Nov
- Warm Temperate (Sydney): Sep to Nov
- Cool Temperate (Melbourne): Mar to Apr, Oct to Nov
- Cold / Highland (Canberra): not recommended
- Arid / Semi-Arid (Alice Springs): not recommended
- Mediterranean (Perth): Sep to Nov
When should I plant Macadamia in Cairns?
Macadamias crop well on the Tablelands but poorly on the hot, humid coast. Plant grafted trees with the first rains and collect nuts as they fall.
How do I know when Macadamia are ready to harvest?
Nuts fall from tree when mature (natural abscission). Husk splits or starts to brown. Harvest from ground. Do not pick from tree. Harvest every 2-3 weeks during drop season.
What are the best Macadamia varieties for Cairns?
Recommended varieties for the Tropical zone include: A4 (M. integrifolia), HAES 344 (Kau), HAES 741.
What grows well with Macadamia?
Good companion plants for Macadamia include: Native understorey plants, Coffee (traditional intercrop in Hawaii).
Are macadamia salt tolerant?
Only a little. Macadamia are moderately sensitive to salt, so the harvest drops on salty bore water. Mix salty water with rainwater, and mulch the bed.
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.