Quandong Seeds

QUANDONG Seeds

Botanical Name: Santalum acuminatum
Other Names: Quandong, Native Peach, Desert Peach

• Small to medium Australian native tree with silvery-green foliage and bright red, edible fruits.
• Adapted to arid, semi-arid, and low-water environments, highly drought-tolerant.
• Produces attractive fruits that add colour and interest to landscapes and gardens.
• Highly tolerant of poor soils, sandy substrates, and saline conditions.
• Valuable for bushfood gardens, restoration plantings, and wildlife habitat creation.
• Fruits traditionally used as a bushfood with a tart, sweet flavour.
• Supports native birds, insects, and small mammals with food and shelter.

Plant Details

• Plant Type: Small to medium native tree
• Plant Height: 3–6 m tall; spreads up to 2–4 m wide

Sowing Information

• Germination: 2–6 weeks (can be variable; pre-treatment recommended)
• Pre-treatment: Remove seed coat or soak in water for 24–48 hours for improved germination
• Depth: Surface sow to 5 mm deep
• Position: Full sun to light shade
• Sow Where: Seed trays, tubes, or direct sow in prepared sites
• Soil Type: Free-draining soils; tolerates sandy, low-nutrient, and alkaline soils
• Spacing: 2–4 m between plants

Growing Tips

• Use a well-drained, low-nutrient mix; avoid heavy fertilisers.
• Keep soil lightly moist during establishment, then reduce watering.
• Highly drought-tolerant once established and suited to low-maintenance plantings.
• Light pruning improves canopy shape and fruit production.

Flowering & Fruiting

Small, inconspicuous flowers are followed by bright red fruits that ripen in summer, providing food for wildlife and bushfood enthusiasts.

Traditional & Practical Uses

• Fruits traditionally consumed by Indigenous Australians as a bushfood.
• Used in modern cuisine for jams, sauces, and desserts.
• Widely planted for arid-zone landscaping, wildlife gardens, and bushfood orchards.

When to Sow Quandong in Your Climate