Citrus & Fruit

How to choose from an edible range this broad

Rule plants out before you rule them in. Frost is the first filter: mango and avocado are the tender ones here, while figs, pomegranates and most stone fruit take a cold winter in their stride. Space is the second. A grafted Bowen mango (Mangifera indica) still reaches about 6m with a 4m spread, a Hass avocado much the same, and neither enjoys a cramped corner. Citrus sits in the flexible middle: full sized trees finish at 3m to 4m, and dwarf grafted forms such as the Cara Cara orange stay close to 2m.

Speed is the last trade-off. Figs and passionfruit crop young, citrus builds to a full harvest over three or four seasons, and mango and avocado reward patience more than haste.

Matching fruit trees to your climate

In tropical and subtropical gardens almost everything on this page grows, and mango, avocado and the native gardenia (Atractocarpus fitzalanii) do their best work. Warm temperate and Mediterranean gardens around Sydney, Perth and Adelaide suit citrus, figs, pomegranates and avocados. In cooler southern gardens, shop from the frost hardy end: figs, pomegranates and low chill stone fruit such as White Opal peach, with Meyer lemon the most cold tolerant of the common citrus. Our dwarf and full sized citrus trees carry climate notes on every product page.

Planting and spacing that pays off later

Plant into full sun and free draining soil, in a hole twice the width of the pot and no deeper. Give a full sized citrus such as the Eureka lemon at least 3m clear of paths and fences, because it finishes near 4m tall and 3m wide. Keep figs well away from pipes and paving; the roots are vigorous. Pomegranates make an informal fruiting hedge planted 1.5m apart. Water new trees deeply twice a week through their first summer, and mulch 75mm deep with the mulch kept off the trunk.

Feeding, pruning and protecting the crop

Citrus are hungry trees. Feed in late winter and again in late summer, and keep water consistent while fruit is developing, because erratic watering sits behind most fruit drop and split skins. Prune deciduous fruiters in winter; a Black Genoa fig that would otherwise reach 5m is easily held at 3m this way. Net anything ripening if birds work your area, and our lemon tree care guide covers the citrus routine in more detail.

Common questions

Do I need two trees for pollination?

Usually not. Citrus, figs and most stone fruit here are self fertile, so a single tree crops on its own. Avocados are the exception: they set heavier crops with a second variety of the opposite flowering type nearby.

Which fruit trees grow well in pots?

Dwarf citrus lead the list. The Imperial mandarin holds at about 2m in a large pot, and compact lemons bred for containers stay smaller again. Use a container of at least 50 litres with good drainage, and feed a little more often than you would in the ground.

How long until the first harvest?

Grafted trees fruit years sooner than anything raised from a pip. Expect a token crop early, then a proper harvest once the tree has a few seasons of growth behind it.

How does delivery work for fruit trees?

Everything here is delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95 and no minimum order. Advanced and large stock is freighted at cost, and every plant carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee. Browse the full fruit tree collection for the rest of the orchard range.