When to Plant Mulberry in Cairns, Tropical Guide

Plant year round in Cairns. That includes right now, in September.

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

This Mulberry 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.

Mulberry

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Possibly the easiest fruit tree to grow in Australia. Virtually indestructible, tolerates poor soil, drought, neglect, and a wide climate range. Black mulberry (M. nigra) produces the best-flavoured fruit. Trees grow fast, fruit young (often in first year), and produce heavily. The main downside: fruit stains everything. Paths, cars, laundry, hands, and anything beneath the tree. Plan placement carefully. Birds love mulberries, which can be an advantage (distraction crop) or disadvantage.

Best Planting Window for Tropical

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

P = Planting window

Plant anytime.

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How to Grow Mulberry in Tropical Australia

When to Plant

Plant anytime.

Soil
Tolerates almost anything including heavy clay, sand, and poor soils. Performs best in well-drained fertile soil but genuinely undemanding.
pH Range
5.5-7.5
Sunlight
Full sun for best fruit. Tolerates part shade.

Companion plants: Anything, mulberries are not fussy

Avoid planting near: Paths, driveways, clotheslines, swimming pools (staining), Anything you don't want purple-stained

Tropical Growing Tips for Mulberry

Recommended Varieties

  • Black English (M. nigra)
  • White Shahtoot (M. alba, long sweet fruit)
  • Hicks Fancy

Key Challenges

  • Minimal, mulberries are tough
  • Fruit fly moderate concern

Pro Tips

  • Grows vigorously. Prune to control size.
  • Shahtoot produces sweet elongated white fruit popular in tropical areas.

Harvesting Mulberry

When ready: Black mulberry: fully black-purple and soft. White/Shahtoot: pale pink to white and sweet. Ripe fruit falls at a touch. Lay a clean sheet under the tree and shake branches.

How to harvest: Shake branches over a sheet or pick individually. Wear old clothes, staining is inevitable.

Where to next

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

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Common Questions About Mulberry

When do you plant mulberry in Australia?

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

Does mulberry grow all year round in Cairns?

Yes, every month is on the calendar for the Tropical zone, though not every month is equally easy. Plant anytime.

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.