Tropical
Open climate guide →JanWaitFebWaitMarPlantAprPlantMayPlantJunWaitJulWaitAugWaitSepWaitOctPlantNovPlantDecPlant
Aim for March, April, May, October, November, December.
Grow to Eat
When to plant Lemon in Australia
A practical climate-by-climate planting calendar plus detailed starting, care, problem and safety guidance.
StartPlant a grafted treeLightFull sunTimingFruit in 2–3 yearsDifficultyEasy
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Australian planting calendar
Best months by climate
Highlighted months are the usual planting window. A local nursery, seed packet and current weather forecast should take priority over a broad climate calendar.
Subtropical
Open climate guide →JanWaitFebWaitMarPlantAprPlantMayPlantJunWaitJulWaitAugWaitSepPlantOctPlantNovPlantDecWait
Aim for March, April, May, September, October, November.
Warm temperate
Open climate guide →JanWaitFebWaitMarPlantAprPlantMayPlantJunWaitJulWaitAugWaitSepPlantOctPlantNovWaitDecWait
Aim for March, April, May, September, October.
Cool temperate
Open climate guide →JanWaitFebWaitMarWaitAprWaitMayWaitJunWaitJulWaitAugWaitSepPlantOctPlantNovPlantDecWait
Aim for September, October, November.
Mediterranean
Open climate guide →JanWaitFebWaitMarPlantAprPlantMayPlantJunWaitJulWaitAugWaitSepPlantOctPlantNovWaitDecWait
Aim for March, April, May, September, October.
Semi-arid
Open climate guide →JanWaitFebWaitMarPlantAprPlantMayPlantJunWaitJulWaitAugWaitSepPlantOctPlantNovWaitDecWait
Aim for March, April, May, September, October.
Arid
Open climate guide →JanWaitFebWaitMarPlantAprPlantMayPlantJunWaitJulWaitAugWaitSepPlantOctPlantNovWaitDecWait
Aim for March, April, May, September, October.
Start well
Plant lemon with confidence
Dig no deeper than the root ball, loosen circling roots and keep the graft union clearly above finished soil level.
- Sowing or planting depth
- Plant at the existing crown or root-ball level unless the label specifies otherwise.
- Germination or establishment
- Not normally started from seed in this guide; establishment speed depends on plant size, season and root condition.
- Spacing
- 3–5 m
- Soil
- Deep, free-draining soil with room for a permanent root system; usually ph 6.0–7.0; check the species.
Feeding
Support steady growth
Feed across the root zone in the species' active season rather than piling fertiliser near the trunk.
Water
Keep moisture balanced
Deep-water the root zone while establishing and during fruit development.
Maintenance
What to do as it grows
Feed citrus in smaller seasonal applications and deep-water the whole canopy drip line during dry periods.
Harvest or display
Know when it is ready
Fruit in 2–3 years. Readiness varies with variety and weather; use colour, firmness, size and the supplier's maturity notes rather than the calendar alone.
Problems and companions
Keep your patch healthy
Common watch-outs
Monitor new growth for leaf miner, scale and aphids, and inspect fruit for gall wasp or fruit-fly damage where those pests occur.
Useful neighbours
Shallow-rooted herbs and flowers can sit outside the main root zone. Keep lawn, deep digging and heavy competition away from the trunk.
People and pets
Safety note
No Patch-specific toxicity warning is recorded. That does not prove the plant is safe—check the exact species with a veterinarian or poisons service if children or pets may eat it.
Moving plants
Biosecurity note
Fruit, plants and soil can be restricted between Australian states and pest-control zones. Check current interstate quarantine rules before moving them.
Transparent guidance
How to use this guide
Patch gives a broad Australian starting point, not a guarantee for every variety or garden. Read the Patch methodology and sources, check the latest Bureau of Meteorology climate information, and confirm interstate restrictions through Australian Interstate Quarantine.
Last reviewed 3 September 2026