When to Plant Tamarillo 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.
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This Tamarillo 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
- All year
- Days to harvest
- about 86 weeks
- Sun
- Full sun to part shade
- Soil pH
- 5.8–7.0
Tamarillo, the tree tomato, is a fast growing small tree that fruits from about 18 months and lives 2 to 5 years (Green Harvest).
Published · By GardenBuddy.au
Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Planting Calendar for Tropical
- Jan S/T
- Feb S/T
- Mar S/T
- Apr S/T
- May S/T
- Jun S/T
- Jul S/T
- Aug S/T
- Sep S/T
- Oct S/T
- Nov S/T
- Dec S/T
S = Seed Tray T = Transplant D = Direct Sow
You can sow tamarillo in any month in Tropical, but the months are not equal. Summer heat brings faster bolting and heavier pest pressure, so pick a heat tolerant variety, sow little and often, and give afternoon shade from December through February.
Want a nudge when it is sowing time?
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How to Grow Tamarillo in Tropical Australia
- Soil
- Rich, free draining; will not take wet feet (Green Harvest, Seed Collection).
- Salt
- Sensitive. Struggles with salty bore water or salty soil. Give it rainwater if you can.
- pH Range
- 5.8-7.0
- Sunlight
- Full sun; partial shade in the tropics (Yates).
- Keep away from
- Beds that had wilt in tomatoes or potatoes (Seed Collection), Windy spots
Tropical Growing Tips for Tamarillo
Key Challenges
- Heat and humidity
- Fruit fly
Pro Tips
- Afternoon shade (Yates)
- Net fruit
Pests and problems for Tamarillo in Tropical
Harvesting Tamarillo
When ready: Full red or gold colour and a slight give; fruit forms in autumn (Yates).
How to harvest: Twist or cut with a short stalk.
Storing and preserving tamarillo
How to keep it
- Freezing. Scald, peel, freeze halves or puree. Keeps: 8 to 12 months.
- Chutney or sauce. Tested recipe base, water bath for altitude (NCHFP). Keeps: 1 year.
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 Tamarillo
When do you plant tamarillo in Australia?
It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:
- Tropical (Cairns): all year
- Subtropical (Brisbane): Jan, Aug to Dec
- Warm Temperate (Sydney): Aug to Nov
- Cool Temperate (Melbourne): Sep to Nov
- Cold / Highland (Canberra): not recommended
- Arid / Semi-Arid (Alice Springs): Aug to Dec
- Mediterranean (Perth): Aug to Nov
Can you grow tamarillo all year round in Cairns?
Yes, every month is on the calendar for the Tropical zone, though not every month is equally easy. You might be able to grow it here under the right conditions. Green Harvest says it is unlikely to do well in the tropics, while Yates lists tropical areas with partial shade and the Seed Collection chart allows sowing all year in the tropics. Try it in a sheltered spot with afternoon shade, perfect drainage and wind protection. Fruit forms in autumn (Yates).
When should I plant Tamarillo in Cairns?
You might be able to grow it here under the right conditions. Green Harvest says it is unlikely to do well in the tropics, while Yates lists tropical areas with partial shade and the Seed Collection chart allows sowing all year in the tropics. Try it in a sheltered spot with afternoon shade, perfect drainage and wind protection. Fruit forms in autumn (Yates).
How do I know when Tamarillo are ready to harvest?
Full red or gold colour and a slight give; fruit forms in autumn (Yates).
Are tamarillo salt tolerant?
No. Tamarillo are salt-sensitive, one of the more sensitive veggies. Use rainwater if your bore water is salty, or grow them in a raised bed of fresh mix if your soil is.
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.