Damon Mcknight
Winter in Australia sees average temperatures ranging from 10 to 15 degrees Celsius, and while it might seem like the cold weather limits your gardening options, there are actually many plants that thrive in the cooler months. From vegetables to flowers, here is a list of plants that can be grown in Australia during the winter season.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Average temperature range | 10 to 15 degrees Celsius |
| Leafy greens | Cabbage, kale, spinach |
| Root vegetables | Carrots, turnips, potatoes |
| Herbs | Rosemary, thyme, coriander, chamomile, comfrey, cress, dill, endive, garlic bulbs, lavender, lemon balm, marjoram, mint, oregano, parsley, rocket, sage, sorrel, spring onions |
| Fruits and vegetables | Beetroot, onions, radish, tomatoes, beans, bok/pak choi, leeks, lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower, cucumber, eggplant, peas, pumpkin, sweet corn |
| Flowers | Cyclamen, hellebore (winter rose), protea, serruria, daphne, magnolias, michelias, grevilleas, leptospermum, begonia, candytuft, Canterbury bells, daisies, delphinium, English daisies, poppies, snapdragons, snowdrops, pansies, petunias, marigolds |
| Ideal conditions | Cooler temperatures, less insect competition, longer harvest |
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What You'll Learn
Vegetables: cabbage, kale, spinach, root veggies, and potatoes
Cabbage
Cabbage is a winter season crop that can be grown from seed or transplanted. It requires full sun and good drainage. It prefers slightly acidic and heavy clay soil, which will prevent leaching of nutrients with regular watering. Water your cabbage regularly and keep it weed-free. The shorter days in winter allow the plant to develop a sweeter flavour.
Kale
Kale is a winter vegetable that thrives in cold weather and can be grown in garden beds or pots. It grows best in moist, well-draining soil, enriched with organic matter. The soil pH should be slightly acidic, between 5.5 and 6.5. As young kale plants grow, feed them with a fertiliser high in nitrogen. Harvesting kale is easy: simply break off the lower leaves, leaving at least 4-5 leaves so it continues to grow.
Spinach
Spinach is a leafy green that thrives in a range of climates and can be grown in garden beds, pots, or even regrown from kitchen scraps. Spinach thrives in cooler temperatures, so planting during winter will promote faster growth. Spinach is typically ready to harvest within 25 to 30 days. Regularly harvesting the outer leaves of the plant encourages new growth and prolongs the harvest period.
Root Vegetables
Root veggies such as carrots, beetroot, parsnip, radish, and turnips can be planted early in the season and harvested just before the first frost. They are hardy plants that can withstand cooler temperatures and even a light frost. Carrots can take up to 16 weeks to mature, so start them early in the season.
Potatoes
Potatoes are susceptible to frost and do not like overly warm temperatures. In warmer parts of Australia, they can be grown all year round, but the preference for planting is from early autumn to early spring. Potatoes are grown from tubers, which can be purchased from nurseries at the end of winter through to early spring.
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Herbs: rosemary, thyme, coriander, dill, and marjoram
While the cold weather in Australia during winter may seem limiting for your garden, there are actually many plants that thrive in the cooler months. Herbs like rosemary, thyme, coriander, dill, and marjoram will continue to grow throughout the winter.
Rosemary is a hardy herb that can withstand cold temperatures, making it a good choice for winter gardening. It prefers cooler temperatures with full sun for 6 to 8 hours daily. A few weeks of chilly weather each year help to promote more compact growth for rosemary. During its active growing season, rosemary will need to be watered about once per week.
Thyme is another herb that doesn't mind the cold. It is drought-resistant and can be grown indoors in a sheltered area with plenty of sunlight, such as on a sunny windowsill or a hanging pot. Make sure to protect your thyme plant from frost damage by covering it with a cloth or placing it in a sheltered spot during extreme weather.
Coriander is a versatile herb that can be used in salads, sauces, and hot Thai dishes. It grows well in Australia during the winter and can add some spice to your herb garden.
If frosts are a problem in your area, it is best to wait to plant dill until a week or two before the average date of the last frost. Alternatively, dill can be grown indoors in a deep container to accommodate its long roots. Dill can grow up to 90mm tall, so it is best planted at the back of your herb garden.
Marjoram is another herb that can be grown during the winter in Australia, although specific instructions were not found.
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Flowers: cyclamens, hellebores, proteas, grevilleas, and petunias
Cyclamens
Cyclamen persicum, with its tall, narrow, perfumed flowers and interesting leaf patterns, is a species that is often overlooked. However, it is a very good plant that has a wide distribution around the Mediterranean, the Middle East, and North Africa, where it grows in quite harsh, rocky conditions. Its preference for a very long dry summer dormancy should make it easy to cultivate in many Australian gardens. The flowering period is from mid-winter until mid-spring, and the plants must dry out between watering. Flower colours vary from mid to soft pink and white with a deep magenta band at the base.
Cyclamen coum is another species that is well-suited for the winter garden in Australia. Its first flowers appear in mid-June and continue through to mid-October. It is not a plant for hot districts, as the corms need to be kept cool and a little moist during dormancy. It is often seen in well-tended Melbourne gardens, where it is grown in deep deciduous shade. Cyclamen coum is a woodland plant, so it should be grown in good leafy soil beneath deciduous trees and mulched frequently.
Hellebores
Known as Winter Roses, Snow Roses, Lenten Roses, Christmas Roses, and Oracle Roses, hellebores are adored for their ornamental diversity, ease of care, evergreen foliage, and long blooming winter colour. They look amazing in massed plantings and become valuable ground covers, especially in dry shady areas. There is a fabulous colour palette to choose from, including dark plum shades, vibrant yellows, bright whites, and a whole range of pinks. The flowers can be single and open, double, frilled, pendent, or outward-facing. Winter Roses thrive in humus-rich, to moderately fertile soils.
Proteas
With over 1,600 species, Proteas are a southern hemisphere flora boasting beautiful goblet-shaped flowers with distinct colour, size, and shape variations. They produce nectar that attracts birds, bees, and insects, bringing harmony to the natural ecosystem. The best time to see Proteas in bloom is in late autumn to winter. They have a fine root system that develops naturally to seek out available nutrients in the soil.
Grevilleas
Grevilleas are a diverse range of Australian native plants with beautiful flowers that come in almost every colour, from pinks and purples to cream, yellow, and orange. Their flower shapes can look like brushes or spiders. They are excellent for attracting bees and nectar-feeding birds into the garden, and winter-flowering varieties are important sources of food during the cooler months. Grevilleas prefer well-drained soil and will benefit from regular feeding with a fertiliser suitable for native plants.
Petunias
Petunias are a popular annual flower and perennial hybrid that is easy to grow and blooms prolifically. They are an inexpensive way to add flower colour to pots, hanging baskets, and garden beds. With a wide range of colours and forms available, there is a flowering petunia to suit all colour schemes. To maintain colour in late autumn and winter, plant some annual seedling plants like pansy and cineraria.
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Fruits: tomatoes, radishes, and capsicum
While the cold weather in Australia during winter may seem limiting for your garden, there are still plenty of plants that thrive in the cooler months. Winter planting can be a rewarding way to keep your garden vibrant and productive all year round.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes are a subtropical plant that generally requires long, hot days to grow. They can be grown in late autumn and winter in warmer zones of Australia, but they may need to be grown indoors or in a greenhouse to protect them from frost. If you're growing tomatoes in winter, it's important to harvest the fruit before the first frost.
Radishes
Radishes can be grown all year round in all regions of Australia. French radishes, the most common variety, are ideal for spring to autumn, while European radishes are better suited to late summer, autumn, and winter. Radishes can be harvested in as little as 20 to 70 days, depending on the variety, and it's important to harvest them as soon as they're ready to maintain their texture and flavour.
Capsicum
Capsicums, also known as peppers, can be grown in Australia and stored for winter use. While there is limited information specific to growing capsicums in Australia during winter, they are a warm-season crop that typically thrives in temperatures above 18°C.
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Conditions: cool temperatures, frost cloth protection, and well-drained soil
Gardening in cool temperatures with frost cloth protection and well-drained soil is possible in Australia. Here are some plants that can be grown in these conditions:
Vegetables
Vegetables that can be grown in cool temperatures include root vegetables such as carrots, which require full sun and well-drained soil. Another option is kale, a nutritious and easy-to-grow biennial that thrives in cold and frosty conditions. Broccoli is another good choice, as it is packed with vitamins and nutrients and prefers full sun with rich, well-drained soil. Silverbeet, also known as rainbow chard, is a versatile vegetable with thick, fleshy stems and broad, crinkly green leaves. It grows well in full sun to part shade with well-drained, slightly acidic soil.
Herbs
Herbs that thrive in cool temperatures include parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme. Thyme, in particular, should be planted in full sun and protected from frost damage with a cloth or shelter. Coriander, also known as cilantro, is another herb that grows well in cool temperatures and can thrive in both humid and dry climates. It should be planted in well-drained soil, and its leaves should be harvested regularly to prevent bolting. Chives are another herb that adds a mild onion flavor to dishes and should be divided every few years to maintain their health.
Flowers
For flowering plants, consider the winter rose, also known as hellebores, which loves the winter sun but should be protected from humidity. Serruria, commonly known as the blushing bride, produces long-lasting hot pink flowers and grows well in well-drained, low-pH potting mix with regular watering. Wallflowers, true to their name, grow well in winter and should be pruned back after each flush of flowers. Cyclamen flowers are another option, known for surviving cold temperatures and blooming in the snow, and they prefer well-drained soil and partial shade.
Frost-Hardy Plants
Some plants that are particularly frost-hardy include veronicas, which need full sun and light, well-drained soil. Hydrangeas also tolerate frost well and grow in full sun in cool climates. Camellias, with their delicate, waxy petals, prefer a sheltered spot with filtered light and moist, well-drained soil. Grevilleas are known for their vibrant, bird-attracting flowers and can tolerate dry conditions.
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Frequently asked questions
Leafy greens such as cabbage, kale, and spinach thrive in the Australian winter. Root vegetables like carrots, turnips, and potatoes can also be planted early in the season and harvested before the first frost.
Cyclamen, hellebores, proteas, grevilleas, and magnolias are some flowers that bloom in the Australian winter.
Many herbs, such as rosemary, thyme, coriander, and dill, will continue to thrive throughout the winter months in Australia.
During the winter in Australia, the average temperature ranges from 10 to 15 degrees Celsius.
