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Australian Natives
Explore Australian native fruit, bush foods and flowering plants for gardens across the country. Choose species for your local climate and soil, then build useful food and shelter for birds, insects and other wildlife.
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Australian Natives Growing Guides
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Growing Notes
Australia is a big country, so a plant that is native to one region may still struggle in another. Check where the plant grows naturally and pick a spot with similar light, soil and rainfall.
Many natives grow well in free-draining soil and need only light feeding. Some, including many banksias and grevilleas, are sensitive to phosphorus, so use a fertiliser made for natives when you do feed.
Common Questions
Are native plants low maintenance?
Often, once they are settled in the right spot. New plants still need regular water while roots establish, and most grow better with light pruning after flowering.
Do Australian natives need special fertiliser?
Some do. Plants in the Proteaceae family, such as banksias, grevilleas and macadamias, can be harmed by high phosphorus. A low-phosphorus native fertiliser is the safer choice.
Will a native plant grow anywhere in Australia?
No. Native means it grows naturally somewhere in Australia, not everywhere. A tropical rainforest plant may need protection from frost in the south, and a dry-country plant may rot in humid, wet soil.