How to Grow Macadamia in Australia
A year-round fruit for the long-term patch
Growing your own Macadamia is one of the more satisfying things you can do in an Australian backyard.
This guide covers when to plant Macadamia in your region, the position and soil it likes, how to plant it, day-to-day care, the pests and diseases to watch, and how to harvest and store your crop.
When to Plant in Your Region
Macadamia is a year-round crop, half-hardy (it takes light frost but not a hard freeze). In subtropical South-East Queensland it is best planted in March, April, May, June, July, August and September. Timing shifts with your climate, so choose your region below for a local calendar.
Varieties to Try
Beaumont (H695)
Pink flowers, easy-cracking nuts, high yield. Precocious, cropping from year 3. The SEQ backyard standard.
Try: Daleys Fruit, local macadamia nurseries
A4 (Australian)
Commercial SEQ variety. Hard shell, high kernel recovery, heavy cropper. Widely available grafted.
Try: Daleys Fruit, commercial nurseries
Own Venture
Compact grower, suits smaller backyards. Still 6m but more manageable. Reliable producer.
Try: Daleys Fruit
Position and Soil
Give Macadamia full sun (at least 6 hours a day). It does best in free-draining soil with a pH around 5 to 6.5. Dig through plenty of compost before planting, and mulch to hold moisture and keep weeds down.
Planting
Plant Macadamia into a well-prepared hole the same depth as the rootball and twice as wide. Allow about 700 cm between plants (more for full-size trees) so each has room and airflow. Water in well, stake if needed, and keep the area weed-free while it establishes.
SEQ native, Australia's gift to the world. Slow (4-6 years to real crops) but lives 60+ years. Plant a grafted cultivar, not a seedling. Wants slightly acidic soil.
Care
Water consistently, roughly 15 L per plant every 4 days in warm weather, less in cool or wet spells. Feed every few weeks through the growing season with a balanced organic fertiliser, and keep mulch topped up.
Pests and Diseases
Keep an eye out for Nut borer and Stink bug. The main diseases to watch are Husk spot and Phytophthora. Good spacing, watering at the base rather than over the leaves, and crop rotation prevent most problems. See our Pest and Disease Guide to identify and fix any issue.
Harvesting and Storage
Macadamia is typically ready to harvest within roughly 49 months once established (young plants may take a season or two longer).
In the Kitchen
Nutritionally: high in healthy monounsaturated fats and good source of minerals and antioxidants.
Track Your Macadamia Growing
Add macadamia to your garden in the Planting Season app and get reminders for planting, care and harvest, tuned to your region.
Open the App →Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Macadamia in Australia?
Macadamia is a year-round crop. In subtropical regions like South-East Queensland it is best planted in March, April, May, June, July, August and September. Timing changes with your climate, so use the calendar above for your region.
How long does Macadamia take to grow?
Macadamia is generally ready to harvest within roughly 49 months once established (young plants may take a season or two longer).
How much sun does Macadamia need?
Give it full sun (at least 6 hours a day) for the healthiest growth and best harvest.
See also: Macadamia in the Plant Library
