How to Grow Quinoa in Australia
A warm-season fruiting crop for the home garden
Growing Quinoa rewards a little local know-how, and in the right season the plants do most of the work for you. It is rated intermediate to grow. Saves ~$8-12/kg on organic quinoa. Plus you get edible leaves as a bonus crop.
This guide covers when to plant Quinoa in your region, the position and soil it likes, how to sow and space 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
Quinoa is a warm-season crop, half-hardy (it takes light frost but not a hard freeze). In subtropical South-East Queensland it is sown in September, October and November. Timing shifts with your climate, so choose your region below for a local calendar.
Varieties to Try
Red Head
Red-seeded Australian-trialled variety. Good for home gardens. Visible when ready to harvest.
Try: Eden Seeds, Green Harvest
Cherry Vanilla
Ornamental with pink flower heads. Edible seeds. Dual-purpose garden plant.
Try: Eden Seeds
Position and Soil
Give Quinoa full sun (at least 6 hours a day). It does best in free-draining soil with a pH around 6 to 8. Dig through plenty of compost before planting, and mulch to hold moisture and keep weeds down. It grows happily in a pot of 30cm+, which makes it a fine choice for balconies and courtyards.
Sowing and Spacing
Sow seed about 1 cm deep. Thin or space plants to about 30 cm apart. Seedlings usually appear in around 7 days, fastest when the soil is between 15 and 25 degrees.
Chenopodium quinoa. South American pseudocereal. Grown like amaranth. Seed heads need rinsing to remove bitter saponins before eating. Surprisingly easy to grow in Australian conditions. Drought-tolerant once established. Leaves also edible as a spinach substitute.
Care
Water consistently, roughly 4 L per plant every 3 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 and Aphids. The main diseases to watch are Downy mildew. 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
Quinoa is typically ready to harvest in around 120 days (about 4 months). Dried seed stores for years in a sealed container. Rinse saponins before cooking.
In the Kitchen
In the kitchen, quinoa is good cooked as a grain like rice, added to salads and grain bowls, made into porridge and ground into flour for baking. Nutritionally: complete protein (all 9 essential amino acids) and high in iron and magnesium.
Companion Planting
Quinoa grows well alongside Corn and Beans. Our Companion Planting Guide has the full pairings.
Track Your Quinoa Growing
Add quinoa 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 Quinoa in Australia?
Quinoa is a warm-season crop. In subtropical regions like South-East Queensland it is sown in September, October and November. Timing changes with your climate, so use the calendar above for your region.
How long does Quinoa take to grow?
Quinoa is generally ready to harvest in around 120 days (about 4 months).
Can I grow Quinoa in a pot?
Yes. Quinoa grows well in a container of 30cm+ with free-draining mix and regular watering.
How much sun does Quinoa need?
Give it full sun (at least 6 hours a day) for the healthiest growth and best harvest.
See also: Quinoa in the Plant Library
