When to Plant Acerola in Sydney, Warm Temperate Guide
What this month normally looks like in Warm Temperate
In October the Warm Temperate zone normally runs 24°C by day and 13°C overnight, with about 66 mm of rain over 7 or 8 wet days. The coldest October night on record across the zone was -1.5°C, so a late frost is not out of the question. Averages 1991 to 2026, 153 postcodes, SILO.
Jump to section
This Acerola guide is written for the Warm Temperate zone, which takes in Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.
Not your zone? Cairns Brisbane Melbourne Canberra Alice Springs Perth
Also handy: will it frost this week? and what grows in shade.
- Planting window
- Oct to Dec
- Sun
- Full sun
- Soil pH
- 6.6–7.3
Acerola, or Barbados cherry, is an evergreen shrub of 2 to 5 m, or 1.5 m for the dwarf Pixie, for tropical and subtropical gardens, with bright red soft fruit very high in vitamin C that is eaten fresh, juiced or frozen...
Published · By GardenBuddy.au
Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Best Planting Window for Warm Temperate
- Jan -
- Feb -
- Mar -
- Apr -
- May -
- Jun -
- Jul -
- Aug -
- Sep -
- Oct P
- Nov P
- Dec P
P = Planting window
You might be able to grow it here under the right conditions. Daleys reviews report frost damage at Modanville NSW, a plant killed at minus 3 at Tabulam NSW and a Coburg VIC plant that regrew after cold. Young plants die below minus 1 degree (Morton). A frost free spot against a warm wall is needed. Fruit months are our estimate: the summer crop only. Plant in late spring.
Want a nudge when it is sowing time?
One email a week with what is worth planting in the Warm Temperate zone right now, Acerola included, plus which veg has jumped in price at the supermarket. Free, and you can stop it in one click.
How to Grow Acerola in Warm Temperate Australia
- Soil
- Most soils including heavy clay (Daleys); pH 5.5 or above, 6.5 better (Morton).
- Salt
- Sensitive. Struggles with salty bore water or salty soil. Give it rainwater if you can.
- pH Range
- 6.6-7.3
- Sunlight
- Full sun (Daleys).
- Keep away from
- Paths where the stinging hairs brush skin (Daleys), Frost pockets
Warm Temperate Growing Tips for Acerola
Recommended Varieties
- Florida Sweet (Daleys)
Key Challenges
- Frost
- Cool springs
Pro Tips
- Warm wall
- Pot that moves under cover in winter
Pests and problems for Acerola in Warm Temperate
Harvesting Acerola
When ready: Fruit turns bright red about 22 days after flowering and softens fast (Morton).
How to harvest: Pick early in the morning every day to every three days, wearing gloves and long sleeves against the stinging hairs (Morton; Daleys). Fruit bruises easily (Daleys).
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 Acerola
When do you plant acerola in Australia?
It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:
- Tropical (Cairns): Jan to Mar, Nov to Dec
- Subtropical (Brisbane): Jan to Mar, Sep to Dec
- Warm Temperate (Sydney): Oct to Dec
- Cool Temperate (Melbourne): not recommended
- Cold / Highland (Canberra): not recommended
- Arid / Semi-Arid (Alice Springs): Sep to Nov
- Mediterranean (Perth): Sep to Nov
When should I plant Acerola in Sydney?
You might be able to grow it here under the right conditions. Daleys reviews report frost damage at Modanville NSW, a plant killed at minus 3 at Tabulam NSW and a Coburg VIC plant that regrew after cold. Young plants die below minus 1 degree (Morton). A frost free spot against a warm wall is needed. Fruit months are our estimate: the summer crop only. Plant in late spring.
How do I know when Acerola are ready to harvest?
Fruit turns bright red about 22 days after flowering and softens fast (Morton).
What are the best Acerola varieties for Sydney?
Recommended varieties for the Warm Temperate zone include: Florida Sweet (Daleys).
Are acerola salt tolerant?
No. Acerola 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 Warm Temperate zone, Sydney is its reference city.