Holly's Homestead — Native Bush Food
Kakadu Plum
Terminalia ferdinandiana · Combretaceae, native to Australia
DIFFICULTY Moderate
TYPE Semi-deciduous perennial tree, native to Australia
MATURITY 4–6 years to first useful crop
TYPE Semi-deciduous perennial tree, native to Australia
MATURITY 4–6 years to first useful crop
Sun
Full sun
Water
Moderate, drought hardy once established
Soil pH
5.0–7.5
Spacing
5–7m
Depth
as per pot
01Exceptionally high in vitamin C
Kakadu Plum fruit has the highest recorded vitamin C content of any fruit on earth — reportedly over 50 times that of an orange. A tropical woodland native, it copes with a distinct wet and dry season rather than four seasons.
02Planting
Method
Plant from a nursery pot in a full-sun position with excellent drainage.
Soil
Well-drained sandy, loam, or clay; tolerates poor soil but not waterlogging.
Timing
Plant in the build-up to the wet season, in a warm, frost-free position.
Planting timing varies significantly by Australian climate zone. Set your zone above (or use the Find My Climate Zone tool) for guidance tailored to your own area.
03Growing care
- Give it full sun — needs it to fruit well.
- Water moderately; established trees are drought hardy but dislike sitting wet.
- Some leaf drop is normal through the dry season — it's semi-deciduous, not unhealthy.
- No frost tolerance — protect or avoid in anywhere it gets cold.
04Problems
- Waterlogging — poor tolerance; ensure sharp drainage.
- Cold or frost — limits it to tropical and warm subtropical zones.
- Slow to fruit — 4–6 years is normal; be patient.
- Fruit fly — net or manage as fruit ripens.
05Harvest & storage
Signs
Fruit turns pale yellow-green and slightly soft, usually falling when ripe.
Method
Pick by hand or gather freshly fallen fruit from the ground.
Curing
None needed — very sour and astringent, almost always used cooked or processed.
Storage
Fridge a few days; freezes well, and is often dried or powdered for later use.
Preserving
See Dehydrating (drying for long-term storage) or Freezing Produce (freezing a harvest surplus) for ways to keep a harvest surplus.
06Companions & rotation
Plant nearby
Other tropical nativesAvoid nearby
Waterlogged, poorly drained spotsRotation note
Not applicable — long-lived perennial tree.
