When to Plant Persimmon in Cairns, Tropical Guide

Plant June to August. Right now in September it is out of season. The next planting month is June.

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

This Persimmon 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.

Persimmon

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Underrated fruit tree that deserves far more attention in Australian gardens. Two types: astringent (must be fully soft/ripe before eating, mouth-puckeringly tannic if unripe) and non-astringent (can be eaten firm like an apple, Fuyu type). Beautiful ornamental tree with stunning autumn foliage. Very few pest and disease problems. Self-fertile (most varieties). Adapted to a wide range of climates from subtropical to cold-temperate. One of the easiest deciduous fruit trees to grow organically.

Best Planting Window for Tropical

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

P = Planting window

Marginal, persimmons are deciduous and need winter dormancy.

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How to Grow Persimmon in Tropical Australia

When to Plant

Marginal, persimmons are deciduous and need winter dormancy.

Soil
Tolerates wide range of soils. Well-drained preferred but more tolerant of heavy soil than stone fruit.
pH Range
5.5-7.5
Sunlight
Full sun for best fruit. Tolerates part shade.

Companion plants: Anything, persimmons are undemanding

Avoid planting near: Nothing specific, very compatible tree

Tropical Growing Tips for Persimmon

Recommended Varieties

  • Fuyu (non-astringent)
  • Jiro (non-astringent)

Key Challenges

  • Insufficient chill/dormancy period
  • May leaf poorly

Pro Tips

  • Not ideal. Higher altitude tropical areas with cooler winters may succeed.

Harvesting Persimmon

When ready: Non-astringent (Fuyu): pick when fully coloured (orange) and still firm. Eat like an apple. Astringent (Hachiya): pick when fully coloured, ripen until completely soft (jelly-like). Eating astringent persimmon before fully soft = incredibly unpleasant tannic experience.

How to harvest: Cut with secateurs leaving calyx attached.

Where to next

What persimmon costs in the shops right now, retailer by retailer, updated daily.

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

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Common Questions About Persimmon

When do you plant persimmon in Australia?

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

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.