When to Plant Macadamia in Sydney, Warm Temperate Guide

Plant September to November. Right now in October you can plant.

Planting window
Grows well in coastal gardens. Protect young trees from frost for the first few years west of the coast.
Sunlight
Full sun for best production. Tolerates light shade.
Soil pH
5.0-6.5

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

This Macadamia 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.

Macadamia

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Australia's only commercially significant native food plant. Large evergreen tree native to QLD/NSW rainforest. Two species: M. integrifolia (smooth shell, commercial) and M. tetraphylla (rough shell, smaller tree, more cold-tolerant). Grafted trees begin producing in 5-7 years but don't reach full production until 12-15 years. Long-lived (100+ years). Beautiful ornamental shade tree with glossy leaves and pendulous white/pink flower racemes. The nuts have the hardest shell of any commercial nut.

See what grows now in your own postcode

Best Planting Window for Warm Temperate

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

P = Planting window

Grows well in coastal gardens. Protect young trees from frost for the first few years west of the coast.

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This month 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.

The full twelve months are on the Warm Temperate zone page.

How to Grow Macadamia in Warm Temperate Australia

When to Plant

Grows well in coastal gardens. Protect young trees from frost for the first few years west of the coast.

Soil
Well-drained, slightly acidic, volcanic or basaltic soils ideal (reflecting native habitat). Can grow in sandy soils with organic amendment. Cannot tolerate waterlogged conditions.
pH Range
5.0-6.5
Sunlight
Full sun for best production. Tolerates light shade.

Companion plants: Native understorey plants, Coffee (traditional intercrop in Hawaii)

Avoid planting near: Buildings too close (large tree)

Warm Temperate Growing Tips for Macadamia

Recommended Varieties

  • M. tetraphylla varieties (more cold-tolerant)
  • A4 in sheltered spots
  • Beaumont

Key Challenges

  • Cool winters slow growth
  • Less productive than subtropical
  • M. integrifolia marginal in cooler areas

Pro Tips

  • M. tetraphylla is more cold-tolerant and better for Sydney region.
  • North-facing position with wind shelter.
  • Slower to reach production than in subtropical zones.

Harvesting Macadamia

When ready: Nuts fall from tree when mature (natural abscission). Husk splits or starts to brown. Harvest from ground. Do not pick from tree. Harvest every 2-3 weeks during drop season.

How to harvest: Collect fallen nuts from ground. Remove husk within 24 hours (prevents mould). Dry in-shell nuts in single layer in shade for 2-3 weeks.

Where to next

Also worth sowing in the warm temperate zone this October: Lemongrass, Beetroot, Dwarf Beans (Bush) and Eggplant (Aubergine).

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Common Questions About Macadamia

When do you plant macadamia 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 Warm Temperate zone, Sydney is its reference city.