When to plant Rue in Temperate Australia

Temperate zone — applies to Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Newcastle and similar areas. Growing elsewhere? Cool · Subtropical · Tropical · Arid.

Raise rue seedlings under cover from September to November, then transplant once the ground has warmed. Sow seed about 5 mm deep and expect germination in 7-14 days with steady warmth. This is a slow, woody perennial herb, taking 90-120 days to reach useful size, so patience early on pays off. Give each plant 50 cm of room and set rows 30-45 cm apart in a free-draining, sunny spot. Across the temperate belt from Adelaide to Newcastle, rue settles in well and, once established, shrugs off dry spells and light frost with little fuss.

Sowing calendar — temperate zone

Green months are your sowing window: September to November.

Growing notes

Rue is one of the easier perennial herbs to keep alive in a temperate garden, but it rewards a lean, sunny position over a rich one. Plant it in full sun in gritty, well-drained soil and resist the urge to feed heavily; too much nitrogen produces soft, floppy growth that flops open in the centre and invites rot.

The most common failure here is root rot from wet winter feet. In Melbourne and Adelaide gardens with heavy clay, rue planted in a low or poorly drained bed will often collapse over its first cool, wet winter. The fix is drainage: plant on a slight mound, work coarse grit through the planting hole, or grow it in a large pot of free-draining mix.

A word of caution worth repeating: rue sap can cause painful blistering when it contacts skin in bright sun. Wear long sleeves and gloves when pruning, and do this on an overcast day or in the evening. Cut plants back by about a third in early spring to keep them dense and tidy. Rue tolerates dry conditions once its roots are down, so water only through prolonged summer heat.

Rue at a glance

Common questions

When should I plant rue in Melbourne?

Raise seedlings from September through November and transplant after the soil has warmed. Melbourne's mild temperate spring suits rue well, and an autumn planting can also work in frost-free pockets.

Does rue come back every year?

Yes, rue is a hardy evergreen perennial that lives for several years in a temperate climate. Cut it back by about a third each spring to stop it becoming woody and open in the middle.

Why is my rue rotting?

Almost always wet winter soil. Rue needs sharp drainage and full sun; plant it on a mound or in gritty soil, and avoid low, boggy beds where water sits over winter.

Is rue safe to handle?

Handle it with care. The sap can cause blistering when it touches skin exposed to sunlight, so wear gloves and long sleeves when pruning, ideally in the evening or on a cloudy day.

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