Sweet Almond Tree

The Sweet Almond (Prunus dulcis) is the productive tree that earns its keep twice a year: clouds of white and pale pink blossom at the tail of winter, then a crop of homegrown almonds by early autumn. In gardens it settles at about 5m tall and 4.5m wide, a manageable size that casts useful summer shade. If your district has dry spring weather and a proper winter, this is one of the most rewarding edible trees you can plant.

Why you'll love it

• Blossom before spring arrives. Almonds flower at the end of winter, earlier than the other flowering Prunus, and the display on bare wood is worth the tree on its own.
• A real crop from a backyard tree. A mature, well pollinated almond produces kilos of nuts, and homegrown kernels are a different food from the packet ones.
• Thrives on hard rations. Frost hardy, drought tolerant, heat tolerant and content in poor soil: a genuine tree for hot dry summers and cold winters.
• The bees arrive first. Late winter blossom is a vital early feed for bees and pollinators when little else is flowering.
• A sensible size. At about 5m it fits a suburban backyard, shady in summer, open to the sun in winter.

Where it works best

Feature and edible planting. Give it a sunny open spot over garden or lawn rather than paving, since dropped hulls need raking at harvest.

Shade tree for small blocks. The rounded deciduous canopy makes it a practical choice where a large shade tree will not fit.

Home orchards. Plant it 4m to 5m from other fruit trees so each develops a full canopy in its own sun.

Growing Sweet Almond in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun in cool temperate, warm temperate, Mediterranean and semi arid climates: wine and stone fruit country. It is frost hardy and needs the winter cold to crop properly. The humid subtropics and tropics are not almond country, since damp spring weather spoils both pollination and the developing nuts.

Soil. Deep and free draining, from sand to loam, including poor soil that would disappoint other fruit trees. Avoid spots that stay wet in winter.

Water and feed. Water deeply weekly through the first two summers. After that it is notably drought tolerant, though a monthly soak while nuts are filling improves the crop. Feed with fruit tree fertiliser in late winter.

Pruning. Prune lightly after harvest to keep the centre open and the height pickable. Almonds crop on spurs that produce for years, so avoid hard annual cutting.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell the Sweet Almond as a single 400mm size, a well established young tree with real structure, and stock moves in and out of backorder between growing seasons. If it arrives in winter dormancy, bare branches are exactly as they should be; buds will break with the first warmth.

Trees are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Stake for the first season, and expect blossom within a year or two and meaningful crops as the tree matures. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Fruit trees for every season, planting tips and tricks
• Browse the full fruit tree range
• Explore all edible plants
• More deciduous trees for seasonal gardens

Common questions

Do I need two trees to get almonds?

Most almonds set a far heavier crop with a second almond nearby for cross pollination, so plant two if you have room. A neighbour's tree within bee range also works.

How long until I pick almonds?

Expect the first small crops within three to four years. Nuts are ready in late summer to early autumn, when the hulls split.

Will it crop in Brisbane or on the humid coast?

Not reliably. Almonds need cold winters and dry spring weather, so in the humid subtropics the tree may grow but the crop will disappoint. Inland and southern gardens are its true home.

Can I keep it smaller than 5m?

Yes. An annual light prune after harvest holds it near 3.5m to 4m, keeping every branch within reach of a picking hook.