When to Plant Olive 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 Olive 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.
- Sun
- Full sun
- Soil pH
- 6.5–7.5
Olive is a long lived evergreen tree for cool winters and warm dry summers. It needs several weeks below 10°C to flower. A first small crop comes at 3 to 5 years, with fruit picked April to June.
Published · By GardenBuddy.au
Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Best Planting Window for Tropical
Olive is not recommended for Tropical.
Olives need several weeks below 10°C to flower (PlantingSeason, COGS). We found no source for growing them in the tropics.
Want a nudge when it is sowing time?
One email a week with what is worth planting in the Tropical zone right now, Olive included, plus which veg has jumped in price at the supermarket. Free, and you can stop it in one click.
How to Grow Olive in Tropical Australia
Tropical Growing Tips for Olive
Recommended Varieties
- Manzanillo, Kalamata (table)
- Frantoio, Arbequina, Coratina, Leccino (oil, cold hardy)
- Barnea (self fertile)
Key Challenges
- Not enough cold
Pro Tips
- Not recommended
Pests and problems for Olive in Tropical
Harvesting Olive
When ready: Green olives when fruit turns light green. Black olives when fully purple black. Oil when about half the fruit has turned purple (PlantingSeason).
What olive 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 Olive
When do you plant olive in Australia?
It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:
- Tropical (Cairns): not recommended
- Subtropical (Brisbane): Mar to May, Aug to Sep
- Warm Temperate (Sydney): Mar to May, Aug to Sep
- Cool Temperate (Melbourne): Mar to May, Aug to Sep
- Cold / Highland (Canberra): Mar to May, Sep
- Arid / Semi-Arid (Alice Springs): Mar to May, Aug to Sep
- Mediterranean (Perth): Mar to May, Aug to Sep
When should I plant Olive in Cairns?
Olives need several weeks below 10°C to flower (PlantingSeason, COGS). We found no source for growing them in the tropics.
How do I know when Olive are ready to harvest?
Green olives when fruit turns light green. Black olives when fully purple black. Oil when about half the fruit has turned purple (PlantingSeason).
What are the best Olive varieties for Cairns?
Recommended varieties for the Tropical zone include: Manzanillo, Kalamata (table), Frantoio, Arbequina, Coratina, Leccino (oil, cold hardy), Barnea (self fertile).
What grows well with Olive?
Good companion plants for Olive include: Thyme, Lavender, Rosemary, Caper.
Are olive salt tolerant?
Fairly. Olive are moderately tolerant of salt and handle slightly salty water better than most veggies.
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.