How to Grow Quince in Australia
A cool-season fruit for the long-term patch
Growing Quince at home is well within reach for most Australian gardeners, and this guide walks you through every step. It is rated beginner to grow. Saves ~$8-12/kg on fresh quince and ~$20-30/kg on quince paste. One tree produces for 50+ years.
This guide covers when to plant Quince 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
Quince is a cool-season crop, fully frost-hardy. In subtropical South-East Queensland it is best planted in June, July and August. Timing shifts with your climate, so choose your region below for a local calendar.
Varieties to Try
Smyrna
The classic quince for paste and jelly. Large, golden, fragrant fruit. Reliable.
Try: Daleys, Flemings, Diggers
Champion
Large pear-shaped fruit. Cooks to a lighter colour than Smyrna. Good all-rounder.
Try: Flemings, Daleys
Position and Soil
Give Quince full sun (at least 6 hours a day). It does best in free-draining soil with a pH around 6 to 7.5. 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 Quince into a well-prepared hole the same depth as the rootball and twice as wide. Allow about 400 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.
Cydonia oblonga. Ancient fruit tree. Fruit is rock-hard and astringent raw but transforms into deep ruby-red perfumed paste, jelly and desserts when cooked. Deciduous, beautiful autumn colour. Needs winter chill. Brilliant in Melbourne, Adelaide, Canberra and highland gardens. Plant bare-root in winter. Very long-lived.
Care
Water consistently, roughly 5 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 Codling moth and Birds. The main diseases to watch are Fire blight and Leaf blight. 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
Quince is typically ready to harvest within roughly 49 months once established (young plants may take a season or two longer). Cool dark place for 2-3 months. Cooked paste stores for 12+ months.
In the Kitchen
In the kitchen, quince is good slow-cooked into quince paste (membrillo), poached in syrup with spices, made into jelly and jam and roasted alongside pork or lamb. Nutritionally: very high in pectin fibre and rich in vitamin C.
Companion Planting
Quince grows well alongside Fruit trees. Our Companion Planting Guide has the full pairings.
Track Your Quince Growing
Add quince 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 Quince in Australia?
Quince is a cool-season crop. In subtropical regions like South-East Queensland it is best planted in June, July and August. Timing changes with your climate, so use the calendar above for your region.
How long does Quince take to grow?
Quince is generally ready to harvest within roughly 49 months once established (young plants may take a season or two longer).
Can I grow Quince 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 Quince need?
Give it full sun (at least 6 hours a day) for the healthiest growth and best harvest.
See also: Quince in the Plant Library
