How to grow Rambutan in Australia
A tropical tree for full sun, high humidity and deep, rich, well drained soil. It needs frequent water and never tolerates drought or cold, with even brief chill causing damage.
At a glance
- Difficulty: Advanced
- Sun: Full sun
- Water: 20 litres a week, watered every 4 days
- Spacing: 800 cm
- Time to harvest: 1095 days (about 3 years)
- Time to germinate: 14 days
- Soil pH: 5 to 6.5
- Frost tolerance: Frost tender
When to sow by region
| Region | When to sow | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| South East Queensland | Not suited | Not reliable in SEQ. Rambutan is a true tropical that is damaged below about 8°C, and Brisbane winter nights often drop lower. It crops only on the north Queensland coast and around Darwin, so grow lychee or longan instead. |
| Northern Rivers NSW | Not suited | Not reliable in the Northern Rivers. Rambutan is a true tropical; cool winters stop it cropping and hinterland frosts kill it. |
| Sydney & Coastal NSW | Not suited | Not viable in Sydney. Too cold. |
| Melbourne & Victoria | Not suited | Not viable in Melbourne. True tropical only. |
| Adelaide & SA | Not suited | Not viable. True tropical only. |
| Perth & WA | Not suited | Not viable. True tropical only. |
| Tasmania | Not suited | Unsuitable. True tropical only. Not viable in Tasmania. |
| Canberra & ACT | Not suited | Not viable. True tropical only. |
| North Queensland | September to March | North QLD is ideal rambutan country. Year-round warmth and humidity. |
| Darwin & Top End | September to March | Darwin ideal. Year-round tropical warmth and humidity. |
Varieties
- R162
- Rongrien
Companion planting
Good companions
- Tropical fruit trees
Harvest and storage
Harvest tip
Ripe when the spiny skin turns full red or yellow all over and feels slightly soft. Snip clusters from the branch with stalks attached, as they do not ripen once picked.
Storage
Fridge for 3 to 5 days. Freeze peeled for longer storage.