How to grow Quandong in Australia
Quandong, or desert quandong (Santalum acuminatum), is a hardy native shrub or small tree of dry inland Australia with bright red, tart fruit that is a classic bush food for jams and pies. It is a semi-parasite: its roots tap into a neighbouring host plant for part of their needs, so it must be planted with a host. It is slow and fussy to establish, but tough once settled.
📖 Our full guide: How to Grow Quandong in Australia
At a glance
When to plant by region
| Region | When to plant | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| South East Queensland | March to September | Marginal. A semi arid native; summer humidity and rain are against it, so only try it in very sandy, sharply drained soil beside a host plant. |
| Northern Rivers NSW | March to September | Marginal. A semi arid native; summer humidity and rain are against it, so only try it in very sandy, sharply drained soil beside a host plant. |
| Sydney & Coastal NSW | March to September | |
| Melbourne & Victoria | October and November | Marginal. A semi arid native that resents cold wet soil. Plant Oct to Nov in the hottest, best drained spot beside a host plant such as a wattle. |
| Adelaide & SA | March to September | |
| Perth & WA | March to September | |
| Tasmania | Not suited | Unsuitable. Semi-arid native needing warmth and a host plant. Cold wet winters kill it. |
| Canberra & ACT | Not suited | Not suited. Quandong is damaged below about minus 4 C and Canberra winters reach minus 8 C. Grow a hardy native such as mountain pepper instead. |
| North Queensland | Not suited | Not suited. Desert quandong is an arid zone tree that fails in monsoon humidity and wet soil. Grow Kakadu plum instead. |
| Darwin & Top End | Not suited | Not suited. Desert quandong is an arid zone tree that fails in monsoon humidity and wet soil. Grow Kakadu plum instead. |
Where to plant
Plant quandong in full sun in sandy, lean soil with very sharp drainage. It is adapted to arid and semi-arid country and resents cold, wet soil and humid conditions. Avoid rich soil and heavy watering.
Quandong roots attach to the roots of other plants and draw part of their water and nutrients from them, so a quandong needs a host plant growing close by. Suitable hosts include native perennial grasses, legumes such as wattles, herbs and shrubs. Plant the host at the same time as, or before, the quandong.
- Adelaide, Perth and inland New South Wales and Victoria: the best climates for quandong, with hot, dry summers and well-drained soils.
- Sydney: possible in very sandy, free-draining soil in full sun; humid summers make it harder.
- Melbourne: marginal. Plant in late spring in the hottest, best-drained spot beside a host plant such as a wattle.
- South East Queensland and the Northern Rivers: only worth trying in very sandy, sharply drained soil; summer humidity and rain are against it.
- Canberra and Hobart: not suited; hard frosts and cold, wet winters damage or kill it.
- North Queensland and Darwin: not suited. It fails in monsoon humidity and wet soil.
Choosing a variety
Buy a young plant from a specialist native or bush food nursery, preferably one sold with its host plant in the same pot. Grafted plants of selected fruiting forms are becoming more available and fruit more reliably than seedlings.
How to plant
- Choose a sunny, sharply drained spot and plant the host plant, such as a native grass or a small wattle, if one is not already there.
- Plant the quandong close beside the host so their roots meet, or, if the quandong was raised in a pot with its host, plant the two together without separating them.
- Plant at the same depth as in the pot, firm gently and water in.
- Keep young plants from drying out while they establish, watering lightly and letting the soil drain between waterings.
Watering and feeding
Although quandongs survive drought once established, young plants must not be allowed to dry out. Water lightly and regularly in the first year or two, then only in long dry spells. Never let the soil stay wet.
Feed very little, if at all. Rich soil and fertiliser do more harm than good.
Pruning and care through the year
- Keep the host plant alive and healthy; if it dies, the young quandong often struggles.
- Keep weeds and competing grasses other than the host away from young plants.
- Net the tree as fruit ripens, as birds take it.
- Be patient: growth is slow and seedlings are fussy, and losses are common in the first year.
Harvesting
Small white flowers are followed by round fruit about 2 to 3 cm across that turns bright, glossy red when ripe, from late winter into early summer. Pick ripe fruit by hand when it comes away with a light tug.
The tart flesh surrounds a hard, pitted stone. Remove the stone and use the flesh fresh, or dry it, which keeps it for a year or more. Fresh fruit keeps about a week in the fridge.
Using it
Quandong flesh is tart and is mostly cooked: in jams, chutneys, sauces and the classic quandong pie. Dried flesh can be rehydrated for cooking.
Propagation
Seed is the usual method, but the hard shell must be opened first so water reaches the kernel: either saw a small nick in the shell and sow with the nick facing down, or crack the shell carefully in a vice and sow the kernel. Sow with a host plant in the same pot. Germination can take 3 to 12 weeks. Selected forms are grafted onto seedling rootstock.
Companion planting
A quandong needs a host plant close by, which its roots attach to for part of their water and nutrients.
Good companions
- Host tree (semi-parasitic) Plant a hardy host such as a native perennial grass, a small wattle or another native shrub within reach of the quandong's roots.
- Native plants Dry-country native shrubs and grasses suit the same lean, sandy conditions and can act as hosts.
Pests and diseases
Quandongs have few pest problems in gardens. Failure to establish is the main challenge, usually from no host, wet soil or drying out when young.
Pests to watch for
- Birds Ripe red fruit pecked or taken from the tree. Net as the fruit colours.
Quandong is rarely troubled by disease.
Common questions
Why does a quandong need a host plant?
Quandong is a semi-parasite. Its roots attach to the roots of nearby plants and draw part of their water and nutrients from them. Without a host, young plants usually struggle or die.
What is a good host plant for quandong?
Hardy natives such as perennial native grasses, small wattles and other legumes, herbs or shrubs. Plant the host at the same time as the quandong, or before.
How do I germinate quandong seed?
Open the hard shell so water can reach the kernel, by sawing a small nick and sowing it nick down, or cracking it carefully in a vice. Sow with a host plant. Germination takes about 3 to 12 weeks.
What does quandong taste like?
The flesh is tart and tangy and is mostly cooked into jams, chutneys, sauces and pies.
Can I grow quandong in Melbourne?
It is marginal. Plant in late spring in the hottest, best-drained spot in sandy soil with a host plant such as a wattle, and keep the soil from staying wet in winter.
How long does a quandong take to fruit?
Quandongs are slow. Expect several years, often about four or more, before a seedling fruits well. Grafted plants of selected forms are more reliable.
Sources we checked: Australian Native Plants Society (Australia): Santalum acuminatum.