When to Plant Plum in Cairns, Tropical Guide

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

This Plum 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.

Plum

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Two main types: Japanese plums (larger, juicy, eat fresh, most common in Australia) and European plums (smaller, denser flesh, better for drying/prunes and cooking). Japanese plums need less chill than European types. Many Japanese varieties need cross-pollination while European plums are often self-fertile. Subject to same diseases as peaches (leaf curl equivalent: silver leaf, brown rot). Grafted on plum or peach rootstock.

Best Planting Window for Tropical

Very marginal. Only high altitude tropics.

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How to Grow Plum in Tropical Australia

When to Plant

Very marginal. Only high altitude tropics.

Soil
Well-drained, slightly acidic. Better tolerance of clay than peach. Deep loam ideal.
pH Range
5.5-6.5
Sunlight
Full sun, good air circulation.

Companion plants: Comfrey, Nasturtium

Avoid planting near: Previous stone fruit site

Tropical Growing Tips for Plum

Recommended Varieties

  • Gulf Ruby
  • Gulf Beauty (ultra-low-chill Japanese)

Key Challenges

  • Insufficient chill
  • Extreme fruit fly

Pro Tips

  • Plums are poor performers in tropical zones.

Harvesting Plum

When ready: Full colour development. Slight give when gently squeezed. Sweet aroma. Japanese plums: slight softening. European plums: can harvest firmer.

How to harvest: Twist and pull gently. Handle carefully, plums bruise easily.

Where to next

What plum 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.

The pest most likely to find your plum: Possums (Common Brushtail, Ringtail).

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Common Questions About Plum

When do you plant plum 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.