How to Grow Quandong in Australia
A year-round fruit for the long-term patch
Growing Quandong at home is well within reach for most Australian gardeners, and this guide walks you through every step. It is rated advanced to grow. Saves ~$40-60/kg dried. Premium native ingredient. One tree produces for decades.
This guide covers when to plant Quandong 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
Quandong is a year-round crop, fully frost-hardy. 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
Desert Quandong
Standard wild form. Red fruit 2-3cm diameter. Tart, acidic flesh around a hard pitted stone.
Try: Nindethana, Australian Seed, specialist native nurseries
Position and Soil
Give Quandong full sun (at least 6 hours a day). It does best in free-draining soil with a pH around 5.5 to 8. Dig through plenty of compost before planting, and mulch to hold moisture and keep weeds down. It needs an open garden bed rather than a pot, getting too big or deep-rooted for containers.
Planting
Plant Quandong into a well-prepared hole the same depth as the rootball and twice as wide. Allow about 500 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.
Santalum acuminatum. The native peach. Semi-parasitic, needs a host plant nearby (wattle, casuarina or grass). Extremely drought-tolerant once established. Tart red fruit used for jams, pies and sauces. Seeds are highly valued. Grows well across southern and central Australia. Slow to establish but very long-lived.
Care
Water consistently, roughly 3 L per plant every 7 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 Birds. The main diseases to watch are Few. 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
Quandong is typically ready to harvest within roughly 49 months once established (young plants may take a season or two longer). Dry well for long-term storage (12+ months). Fresh fruit fridge for 1 week.
In the Kitchen
In the kitchen, quandong is good made into jam, chutney and sauces, used in pies and crumbles, dried and reconstituted for desserts and paired with game meats as a native sauce. Nutritionally: extremely high in vitamin C and rich in antioxidants and phenolics.
Companion Planting
Quandong grows well alongside Native plants and Host tree (semi-parasitic). Our Companion Planting Guide has the full pairings.
Track Your Quandong Growing
Add quandong 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 Quandong in Australia?
Quandong 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 Quandong take to grow?
Quandong is generally ready to harvest within roughly 49 months once established (young plants may take a season or two longer).
Can I grow Quandong in a pot?
It is best grown in an open garden bed rather than a pot, needing more root room than a container gives.
How much sun does Quandong need?
Give it full sun (at least 6 hours a day) for the healthiest growth and best harvest.
See also: Quandong in the Plant Library
