Plant library
Growing guides checked by local gardeners, with planting times worked out from 30 years of climate data.
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99 plants
Apple
Fruit treeA deciduous fruit tree for crisp autumn fruit, well suited to the Adelaide Hills and cooler suburbs with summer watering. Most varieties need a pollination partner that flowers at the same time, so check before you buy or choose a self-fertile type. Plant bare-rooted in winter and mulch well.Apricot
Fruit treeA fast-growing stone fruit that crops heavily in Adelaide's warm, dry summers, with fruit from late spring into early summer. Most common varieties are self-fertile, so one tree is enough. The one thing to get right: prune only in late summer or autumn in dry weather, as winter pruning invites gummosis and silver leaf.Asparagus
VegetableA long-lived perennial that gives tender spears every spring for 15 to 20 years once established. Plant crowns in a deep, weed-free bed enriched with compost in winter. The key is patience: don't harvest in the first year, pick lightly in the second, then fully from year three.Avocado
Fruit treeA large evergreen tree that can crop in Adelaide with care. It is frost-tender and hates hot, dry wind and wet feet, so plant in spring in a warm, sheltered spot with perfect drainage, ideally on a mound. Choose a cold-tolerant variety such as Bacon or Hass and water deeply through summer.Banana
Fruit treeA fast-growing giant herb that fruits well in the tropics and subtropics and in warm, sheltered temperate gardens. It needs heat, rich soil and lots of water, and frost kills the leaves. Each stem fruits once. Panama disease is a serious threat, so only buy certified plants from an approved nursery and never move suckers.Basil
HerbA fragrant summer herb that loves Adelaide's heat and pairs with tomatoes in the garden and the kitchen. Sow or plant once nights stay warm, as cold snaps blacken it. Pinch out the flower spikes and tips often to keep plants bushy and leafy.Bay tree
HerbA slow-growing Mediterranean evergreen whose leaves flavour soups, stocks and stews. It suits Adelaide well: it handles hot, dry summers, wet winters and light frost. Grow it in a large pot or clip it as a hedge to keep it from reaching 8 m.Beetroot
VegetableAn easy root crop for most of the year in Adelaide, giving sweet roots and edible leaves in 8 to 10 weeks. Each seed capsule holds several seeds, so thin seedlings to 8 to 10 cm apart. Keep the soil evenly moist; dry spells make roots woody and ringed.Bok choy
VegetableA fast Asian green that's ready in 6 to 8 weeks, ideal for autumn and early spring in Adelaide. It bolts to seed quickly in heat and lengthening days, so sow in cooler months and pick young. Keep it well watered for tender, juicy stems.Borage
Companion flowerA bee magnet with starry blue flowers. Plant it near tomatoes, zucchini, pumpkin and strawberries to bring in pollinators for a bigger crop. Grows fast and easily from seed, and self-seeds for next year.Broad bean
VegetableA hardy cool-season legume sown in autumn for big pods in spring, and a great soil improver. Plants grow tall, so stake or string them before wind knocks them over. Pinch out the growing tips once the lowest pods form to deter aphids and speed pod fill.Broccoli
VegetableA cool-season brassica planted in late summer and autumn in Adelaide for heads through winter. Rich soil and steady feeding give big heads. Pick the main head while buds are tight, then keep harvesting the side shoots for weeks.Brussels sprouts
VegetableA slow, cold-loving brassica that needs a long cool season to form firm sprouts; it's best in the Adelaide Hills or from an early summer sowing on the plains. Plants grow tall and top-heavy, so firm the soil and stake them. Sprouts sweeten after cold nights.Cabbage
VegetableA dependable brassica that's easy in Adelaide from late summer to winter, with spring-maturing and fast mini types too. Rich soil and regular water make solid heads. Harvest as soon as heads are firm, before they split.Calendula
Companion flowerA tough, sunny cool-season flower with edible petals. It attracts hoverflies and ladybirds that eat aphids, and keeps flowering through autumn, winter and spring when little else does. A great partner for brassicas and salad greens.Cape gooseberry
FruitA fast, sprawling shrub from South America with sweet-tart golden berries inside papery husks. In Adelaide it fruits from summer into autumn, about five to six months after planting, and lasts two or three years in frost-free spots. Frost kills it, so plant out after the last frost or grow in a pot.Capsicum
VegetableA warm-season crop that thrives in Adelaide summers, giving sweet peppers from midsummer into autumn. Plant only once soil and nights are warm, as cold checks growth for weeks. Water deeply and regularly; dry spells cause flower drop and blossom end rot.Carambola
Fruit treeA small tropical tree with waxy, star-shaped fruit that crops for much of the year in the tropics. It also grows in warm subtropical gardens with shelter from wind and cold. It is frost-tender, so in cool climates grow it in a large pot under cover. Choose a sweet variety.Carrot
VegetableA favourite root crop that can be sown most of the year in Adelaide, with autumn and spring the easiest. Sow seed directly into fine, stone-free soil and keep the surface moist until seedlings emerge, which can take two weeks. Thin early for straight, sweet roots.Cauliflower
VegetableA cool-season brassica for autumn planting in Adelaide, maturing in winter and early spring. It's fussier than broccoli: it needs rich soil and no check to growth, or it forms tiny early heads. Fold leaves over the curd as it forms to keep it white.Celery
VegetableA slow, thirsty crop grown for its crisp stalks. In Adelaide, raise seedlings in spring or late summer and keep them well watered through the heat, or the stalks turn stringy. Most of the growth comes in the last few weeks, so be patient.Chilli
VegetableA warm-season crop that loves Adelaide's hot summers and keeps fruiting into autumn. Many types grow happily in pots and can be kept for two or three years in a sheltered spot. Raise or buy seedlings and plant once nights are warm; chillies sulk in cold soil.Chives
HerbA tough perennial clump with mild onion-flavoured leaves and edible purple flowers that bees love. It grows in garden beds or pots and comes back each spring. Cut leaves near the base often, and divide clumps every few years to keep them vigorous.Climbing bean
VegetableA productive summer legume that crops for months up a trellis, giving more beans per square metre than bush beans. Sow seed directly once the soil is warm; it rots in cold, wet soil. Pick pods young every couple of days to keep the vines producing.Coriander
HerbA fast herb grown for leaves, seeds and roots. In Adelaide it bolts to seed in a few weeks of warm weather, so it does best sown in autumn and late winter. Sow directly where it's to grow and keep sowing small batches every few weeks.Cucumber
VegetableA quick summer vine that gives a glut of fruit in Adelaide's warm months. Grow it up a trellis to save space and keep fruit clean. Steady water is the key: dry or stressed plants give bitter, misshapen fruit.Custard apple
Fruit treeA semi-deciduous tree with creamy, sweet fruit, at its best in the subtropics. It also crops in warm, sheltered temperate gardens with a sunny, north-facing spot, but won't set fruit in cold spells and young trees are frost-tender. Not suited to cold inland or southern areas.Desert lime
BushfoodA very hardy native citrus from inland Australia that copes with Adelaide's heat, drought and frost. Its small, tangy fruit is great for marmalade, sauces and drinks. Plants grown from seed are slow and very thorny; grafted plants fruit sooner.Dill
HerbA feathery annual herb used for leaves and seeds, and one of the best plants for attracting hoverflies and small predatory wasps. Sow directly in spring or autumn; it doesn't like transplanting. Keep it away from carrots and fennel as they can cross and compete.Dragon fruit
FruitA climbing cactus with spectacular night flowers and bright fruit. It grows well in the tropics, subtropics and warm temperate areas, and in sheltered frost-free spots further south. It needs a strong post or trellis and full sun. In cold climates grow it in a big pot under cover. It has escaped into bush in parts of eastern Australia.Dwarf bean
VegetableA compact, fast summer bean needing no trellis, cropping about 8 to 10 weeks after sowing. Sow directly into warm soil from spring to midsummer. It crops in a burst, so sow a new row every 3 to 4 weeks for a steady supply.Eggplant
VegetableA heat-loving summer crop that does very well in Adelaide once it gets going. Plant seedlings only when nights are reliably warm and keep them sheltered from cold winds. Water deeply and feed regularly; well-fed plants crop from midsummer to autumn.English spinach
VegetableEnglish spinach is a fast cool-season green for autumn and winter in Adelaide. It bolts quickly in warm weather and lengthening days, so sow from late summer to early winter. For summer greens, grow silverbeet or warrigal greens instead.Fig
Fruit treeOne of the easiest fruit trees for Adelaide: drought hardy once established, self-fertile and almost pest-free. Most varieties give a small early crop and a main crop in late summer and autumn. The main job is protecting ripening fruit from birds and keeping it watered as fruit swells.Finger lime
BushfoodA rainforest citrus whose finger-shaped fruit is filled with zesty 'caviar' pearls. In Adelaide it needs protection from hot afternoon sun and wind, and regular water. Grafted plants fruit in 2 to 3 years and suit large pots.Florence fennel
VegetableGrown for its swollen, aniseed-flavoured leaf base. In Adelaide it does best sown in late summer and autumn, maturing in the cool months; spring sowings often bolt in the heat. Wild fennel is a weed in SA, so never let plants go to seed.French marigold
Companion flowerThe classic companion flower for the veggie patch. Bright, compact and easy, it flowers all summer and draws in hoverflies, whose larvae eat aphids. Tuck it beside tomatoes, capsicum and zucchini, and along bed edges.Garlic
VegetablePlanted as cloves in autumn and harvested in late spring to early summer, garlic is easy and stores for months. Use Australian-grown planting garlic, not imported supermarket bulbs, which are often treated and may carry disease. Keep it weeded and stop watering once the leaves start to yellow.Garlic chives
HerbA tough perennial with flat, garlic-flavoured leaves and white starry flowers in late summer. It handles Adelaide's heat better than common chives and dies back a little in winter. Toxic to dogs and cats, so keep pets away from it.German chamomile
HerbGerman chamomile is a feathery annual grown for its apple-scented daisy flowers, used fresh or dried for tea. Sow in autumn or early spring; seed needs light, so press it on the surface without covering. Pick flowers as they fully open, every few days.Ginger
HerbA tropical plant grown for its spicy rhizomes. In Adelaide treat it as a warm-season pot plant: plant in mid to late spring, keep it warm and moist through summer, then harvest when the leaves die back in late autumn or winter. Move pots to shelter over winter.Globe artichoke
VegetableA big, silver-leaved perennial that crops for about four years and suits Adelaide's Mediterranean climate well. Plant suckers or named plants in late autumn to winter, and pick the buds in spring. Its spiny wild relative is a declared weed in SA, so cut buds before they flower and go to seed.Grapevine
FruitA long-lived deciduous vine that thrives in Adelaide's Mediterranean climate and can shade a pergola in summer while giving fruit in late summer and autumn. Plant in full sun in winter. The one thing to get right is winter pruning: grapes fruit on this season's shoots from last year's wood.Kale
VegetableA tough leafy brassica that grows through Adelaide's autumn and winter and keeps producing for months. Pick lower leaves regularly and leave the top to keep growing. Cold weather sweetens the leaves; summer brings bolting and caterpillars.Kohlrabi
VegetableA crisp, mild cabbage relative grown for its swollen stem, ready in about 8 to 10 weeks. In Adelaide, sow from late summer to autumn and again in early spring. Pick when tennis-ball size or smaller for the sweetest flavour.Leek
VegetableA slow but trouble-free onion relative that stands in the garden over winter until you need it. Sow or plant seedlings from late summer to autumn. For long white stems, plant seedlings deep in a trench or hill soil around them as they grow.Lemon
Fruit treeAdelaide's classic backyard fruit tree, giving lemons most of the year. Plant in full sun with free drainage and shelter from strong wind. Citrus are hungry and shallow-rooted: feed in late winter and late summer, water deeply in summer and keep grass and mulch clear of the trunk.Lemon balm
HerbA hardy, lemon-scented herb in the mint family, used fresh or dried for tea. In Adelaide it grows best with afternoon shade and regular water, and can scorch in full summer sun. It self-seeds and spreads, so a pot keeps it tidy.Lemongrass
HerbA tropical clumping grass whose lemony stem bases are used in Asian cooking. It grows strongly in Adelaide's summer but slows and can brown off in cold winters, so plant in a warm, sunny spot or a large pot. Plant in spring and water well in hot weather.Lettuce
VegetableA quick salad crop for most of the year in Adelaide, with leafy types ready in 6 to 8 weeks. It prefers cooler months; in summer give afternoon shade and plenty of water, or it bolts and turns bitter. Sow small amounts often for a steady supply.Lychee
Fruit treeA handsome evergreen tree for the subtropics and the cooler tropics. It needs a week or more of cool nights below 20 °C to flower, then warm, humid summers. It is frost-tender when young and does poorly in cold or dry inland areas. Expect a small crop after 4 or 5 years.Macadamia
BushfoodAustralia's best-known bushfood nut, native to the subtropical east coast. It grows in Adelaide in a sheltered, frost-free spot with deep, well-drained soil and regular summer water, and starts cropping after 4 or 5 years. Grafted dwarf cultivars suit backyards and large pots.Mandarin
Fruit treeAn easy, compact citrus that's ideal for Adelaide backyards and large pots, with sweet fruit from autumn to spring depending on variety. Like all citrus it needs full sun, free drainage and regular feeding. Choose a mix of early and late varieties to stretch the season.Mango
Fruit treeA big evergreen tree that crops best in the tropics and subtropics, with a dry spell before flowering. It can grow in sheltered, frost-free temperate spots but rarely fruits well there. In cool climates grow a dwarf grafted tree in a large pot and move it under cover in winter.Mint
HerbA vigorous perennial herb for tea, salads and cooking that spreads quickly by runners. Grow it in a pot (or a pot sunk in the ground) to stop it taking over beds. It likes moisture and some afternoon shade in Adelaide summers.Mizuna
VegetableA fast, frilly Asian green with a mild mustard flavour, great in salads. In Adelaide it grows best from autumn to early spring and runs to seed as the weather warms. Pick leaves as you need them and it keeps cropping for weeks.Mulberry
Fruit treeA hardy, long-lived tree that crops heavily in late spring and early summer, even in tough Adelaide conditions. Black mulberry fruit is rich and juicy but stains everything, so plant away from paths and washing lines. Net or share with the birds.Nasturtium
Companion flowerA cheerful, edible trailing flower that works as a trap crop: aphids and cabbage white caterpillars often go for it first, sparing your veggies. Peppery leaves and flowers are lovely in salads. Easy from seed, even in poor soil.Okra
VegetableA heat-loving summer vegetable related to hibiscus, with pretty flowers and pods that suit Adelaide's hot summers. Sow in late spring once the soil is warm. Pick pods young, about finger length, every day or two; older pods turn woody quickly.Onion
VegetableA staple crop sown in autumn and winter in Adelaide and harvested in late spring and summer. Choosing the right type matters: onions bulb according to day length, so use short- or intermediate-day varieties suited to southern Australia. Keep beds weed-free, as onions hate competition.Orange
Fruit treeSweet oranges grow well in Adelaide's warm, dry summers, as the Riverland orchards show. Washington navels are the classic eating orange, ripening in winter; Valencias ripen in spring and summer and are best for juice. Plant in full sun with free drainage, feed well and water deeply in summer.Oregano
HerbA tough Mediterranean perennial herb that thrives in Adelaide's hot dry summers and poor soils. Its flowers draw bees and beneficial insects. Give it full sun and free drainage; rich soil and too much water make it lanky and less flavoursome.Papaya
Fruit treeA fast, short-lived tree that crops well in the tropics and subtropics and in warm, sheltered temperate gardens. It is frost-tender and hates wet roots, so plant in spring on a mound or raised bed. Bisexual varieties fruit on their own. In cool climates growth stalls and fruit rarely ripens.Parsley
HerbA biennial herb that gives leaves for months, sown or planted in autumn or spring in Adelaide. Seed is slow to germinate (up to 3 weeks), so many gardeners buy seedlings. Pick outer stems regularly and keep the plant watered to delay flowering.Parsnip
VegetableA slow, sweet root crop sown in autumn or late winter and harvested 4 to 5 months later; frost sweetens the roots. Always use fresh seed, as it loses viability within a year. Sow directly into deep, loose, stone-free soil and keep it moist until seedlings appear.Passionfruit
FruitA vigorous evergreen climber that fruits heavily in Adelaide's warm months when grown on a sunny fence or trellis. Most are grafted: rub off any shoots from below the graft, or the rootstock can take over. Feed and water well from spring to autumn, and avoid digging around the shallow roots.Pea
VegetableA sweet cool-season legume sown in autumn and winter in Adelaide for spring pods. Most need a trellis or netting to climb. Pick pods often, as plants stop flowering once pods mature, and dig the spent plants into the soil to feed the next crop.Peach
Fruit treeA fast-growing stone fruit that crops well on the Adelaide plains and in the Hills, with fruit from late spring to autumn depending on variety. Most varieties are self-fertile, so one tree is enough. Plant bare-rooted in winter and spray for leaf curl at bud swell each year.Pineapple
FruitA spiky bromeliad that fruits outdoors in the tropics and subtropics and in warm, frost-free temperate gardens. Plant a store-bought top or a sucker in spring in free-draining soil. It takes about two years to fruit. In cool climates grow it in a pot and bring it in for winter.Plum (European and Japanese)
Fruit treeA tough, productive stone fruit that does well across Adelaide, with Japanese plums ripening in summer and European plums in late summer and autumn. Japanese plums need less winter chill and suit the plains best. Many varieties need a pollination partner of the same group, so check before you buy.Pomegranate
Fruit treeA tough, deciduous shrub or small tree with bright orange-red flowers and jewel-seeded fruit in autumn. It is made for Adelaide: it loves long hot summers, handles frost, alkaline soil and dry spells, and needs little chill. Water evenly as fruit ripens to stop it splitting.Potato
VegetableA rewarding crop planted from certified seed potatoes in late winter to spring, and again in late summer, for harvest about 3 to 4 months later. Hill soil or mulch up around the stems as they grow so tubers stay covered; sunlight turns them green and toxic. Don't plant supermarket potatoes, which can carry disease.Pumpkin
VegetableA sprawling summer vine sown in late spring once soil is warm, for pumpkins to harvest and store from autumn. Give it room (or a sturdy trellis for small types) and a mound of compost to grow from. Harvest only when the stem has dried and the skin is hard, then cure in the sun to store for months.Radish
VegetableThe fastest crop in the garden, with round radishes ready in about 4 weeks. Sow seed directly almost all year in Adelaide, avoiding the hottest weeks when they get hot and pithy. Keep moist and pick on time; left too long they turn woody and split.Raspberry
FruitA cane berry that fruits in summer or autumn depending on type. Raspberries prefer cooler climates, so in Adelaide they do best in the Hills or on the plains with afternoon shade, mulch and steady water. Canes sucker, so grow them where they can be contained and choose thornless or near-thornless cultivars.Rhubarb
VegetableA long-lived perennial grown for its tart stalks, planted as crowns in winter or from seedlings in spring. It needs rich soil, plenty of water in summer and some afternoon shade in hot Adelaide weather. Only the stalks are edible: the leaves are toxic.River mint
BushfoodA native mint with a fresh spearmint flavour that grows naturally along creeks. It needs moist soil and some shade in Adelaide. Grow it in a pot or a damp corner and cut it back often for fresh growth.Rocket
VegetableA fast, peppery salad green that's ready in about 4 weeks and does best in Adelaide's cooler months. In warm weather it bolts and gets very hot, so give summer sowings shade. Pick leaves young and often.Rockmelon
VegetableA sweet summer melon that loves Adelaide's long hot season. Sow or plant in late spring in warm, rich, free-draining soil. Cut back on water as fruit ripens for the sweetest flavour; it's ready when it slips easily from the stem and smells sweet.Rosemary
HerbA tough evergreen Mediterranean herb that thrives on little water in Adelaide's hot dry summers. It needs full sun and excellent drainage; wet feet kill it faster than drought. Its winter flowers feed bees when little else is flowering.Sage
HerbA hardy Mediterranean herb with soft grey leaves, well suited to Adelaide's dry summers. Plant in full sun with sharp drainage and water sparingly once established. Trim after flowering to keep it bushy, and replace plants every 4 to 5 years when they go woody.Silverbeet
VegetableOne of the easiest, most productive greens for Adelaide gardens, cropping for a year or more from one planting. It tolerates heat better than spinach and is rarely troubled by pests. Pick outer leaves regularly and keep it watered for tender growth.Snake bean
VegetableA fast climbing bean with very long, thin pods. It loves heat and humidity, so it thrives in the tropics and subtropics and through hot summers in the south. Sow once the soil is properly warm and give it a tall trellis. Pick pods young and often.Spring onion
VegetableA quick, easy onion grown for green stems rather than bulbs, ready in 8 to 10 weeks. Sow little and often almost all year in Adelaide. Bunching (Welsh) types can be cut again and again or left to form clumps.Strawberry
FruitA favourite for gardens and pots that fruits from spring into summer. Plant runners in autumn or winter into rich, slightly acidic, well-drained soil, keeping the crown at soil level. Mulch with straw to keep fruit clean, and net against birds.Sweet alyssum
Companion flowerA low carpet of tiny honey-scented flowers that feeds hoverflies and tiny parasitic wasps, two of the best aphid and caterpillar hunters. Edge your beds with it, or tuck it between lettuces and brassicas. Flowers most of the year in Adelaide.Sweet corn
VegetableA summer crop that needs warm soil, full sun and plenty of water. Plant in blocks of at least 4 by 4 rather than one long row, because corn is wind-pollinated and patchy pollination gives gappy cobs. Pick cobs when the silks turn brown and the kernels squirt milky juice.Sweet potato
VegetableA heat-loving vine that grows vigorously through Adelaide's summer and gives tubers in autumn. Plant shoots (slips) once the soil is warm, in loose, well-drained soil. Avoid too much nitrogen, which gives masses of vine and few tubers.Tahitian lime
Fruit treeThe easiest lime for home gardens: large, seedless fruit on an almost thornless tree, cropping mainly from autumn into winter. In Adelaide plant it in a warm, sunny, sheltered spot such as against a north-facing wall. It is less cold hardy than lemons, so protect young trees from frost in the Hills.Taro
VegetableA tropical root crop with huge heart-shaped leaves, grown for its starchy corms. It needs a long, warm, frost-free season and lots of water, so it suits the tropics and subtropics best. Plant in spring in cooler areas. Every part is toxic raw: always cook corms and leaves well.Tatsoi
VegetableA low rosette of dark, spoon-shaped leaves with a mild flavour, used like baby spinach. In Adelaide, sow from late summer to autumn and again in late winter; it bolts quickly in hot weather. It is quick, cold hardy and suits pots.Thai basil
HerbA basil with purple stems and an aniseed flavour for Thai and Vietnamese cooking. It handles heat and humidity better than sweet basil and is slower to bolt. Grow it year round in the tropics and through the warm months in the subtropics and the south. Frost kills it.Thyme
HerbA small, tough Mediterranean herb that thrives in Adelaide's hot, dry conditions and suits pots, edges and rockeries. Full sun and free drainage are essential. Trim regularly to keep plants compact; the flowers are excellent for bees.Tomato
VegetableThe most popular summer crop in Adelaide, planted once soil and nights are warm and picked from midsummer to autumn. Stake or cage plants and mulch well. Deep, regular watering is the key; dry-wet cycles cause blossom end rot and split fruit.Turmeric
HerbA leafy ginger relative grown for its bright orange rhizomes. It thrives in the tropics and subtropics and can be grown in pots or a warm, sheltered spot in the south. Plant pieces in spring into warm soil, then dig the rhizomes when the leaves yellow in late autumn or winter.Turnip
VegetableA quick, easy root crop ready in 6 to 10 weeks. In Adelaide, sow from late summer through autumn and again in late winter; roots grown into summer heat turn woody and hot. The young leaves are edible too.Warrigal greens
BushfoodA sprawling native leafy green that grows through summer heat when spinach bolts. It's easy, drought tolerant and self-sows freely. Blanch the leaves briefly and discard the water before eating, to reduce oxalates.Watermelon
VegetableA sprawling summer vine that needs Adelaide's long hot season, plenty of space and warm soil. Sow or plant in late spring. A melon is ripe when the tendril nearest it has browned and the patch underneath turns creamy yellow.Zucchini
VegetableThe easiest summer vegetable in Adelaide: one or two plants feed a family from midsummer to autumn. Sow or plant once the soil is warm. Pick fruit small, every day or two, before they become marrows.