Plant Library
Plants for Australian Gardens
Browse 206 plant profiles with practical growing notes for Australian conditions. Search by climate, plant type or light, then open a profile for planting, watering, pruning and more.
206 plants
Fruit tree
Acerola cherry
Acerola is a fast-growing tropical fruit shrub or small tree with bright red, tart-sweet fruit and very high vitamin C.
- Pollinators
- Edible harvest
Succulent
Agave
Agaves are architectural succulents with sculptural rosettes and excellent drought tolerance once established. They range from compact plants for pots and edges to dramatic garden specimens.
- Heat
- Pots
Ornamental
Alexandra palm
Alexandra palm is a tall Queensland native palm with a smooth trunk, green crownshaft and silvery leaf undersides. It grows quickly in warm, moist conditions and suits tropical and subtropical gardens where there is enough room for a very tall canopy.
- Bird food
- Moist soil
Fruit tree
Almond
Almond is a deciduous nut tree that needs winter chill, full sun and good spring weather for pollination. Many varieties need a compatible pollinator.
- Pollinators
- Edible harvest
Succulent
Aloe vera
Aloe vera is a clumping succulent that needs very good drainage and plenty of light. Established plants need little routine care.
- Edible harvest
- Pots
Herb & spice
Anise myrtle
Anise myrtle is an Australian rainforest tree with aromatic leaves that smell and taste of aniseed or liquorice. It can be grown as a small tree, clipped screen or hedge and likes moisture while young.
- Edible harvest
- Native food plant
Ornamental
Anthurium
Anthurium andraeanum is a tropical aroid grown for glossy leaves and long-lasting coloured spathes. It likes bright filtered light, warmth, humidity and an airy root zone.
- Pots
- Cut flower
Fruit tree
Apple
Apples range from low-chill subtropical cultivars to high-chill trees for cold districts. Choosing the right cultivar for your winter is the first step to getting reliable flowers and fruit.
- Pollinators
- Edible harvest
Vine
Arrowhead plant
Arrowhead plant is a tropical climber grown for its patterned arrow-shaped juvenile leaves. It is especially good in pots, hanging baskets and bright indoor positions where you can let it trail or give it support to climb.
- Pots
- Climber
Herb & spice
Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha is a bushy herb from the same plant family as tomatoes. It grows well through warm weather, with small greenish flowers followed by bright orange-red berries tucked inside papery husks. The roots have a long history in traditional Ayurvedic medicine. It's an interesting plant to grow from seed in a sunny bed with good drainage.
- Heat
- Pots
Veggie
Asparagus
Asparagus is a long-lived perennial crop. New beds need time to establish before regular spring harvesting begins.
- Edible harvest
- Sandy soil
Fruit & berry
Atherton raspberry
Atherton raspberry is a vigorous Queensland native bramble that handles warm, humid climates far better than ordinary European raspberries. It makes prickly scrambling canes, white flowers and bright red fruit with a sharper raspberry flavour. Give it room, regular water and pruning or it can form a dense thicket.
- Edible harvest
- Native food plant
Fruit tree
Avocado
Avocados need very good drainage, regular moisture and protection from root rot. Feeding and pruning should be light and matched to the tree's growth.
- Pollinators
- Edible harvest
Ornamental
Azalea
Azaleas are compact rhododendrons grown for heavy late-winter and spring flowering. They do best in acidic, free-draining soil with steady moisture and bright filtered light rather than hot reflected sun.
- Pots
- Border
Ornamental
Baby rubber plant
Baby rubber plant is a compact semi-succulent peperomia with thick glossy leaves and an easy indoor habit. Give it bright filtered light and a free-draining mix, then let the top of the pot dry a little between waterings.
- Pots
Fruit tree
Banana
Bananas grow best with warmth, sun, regular feeding and plenty of water. Keeping only a few well-spaced suckers helps the clump produce good bunches.
- Edible harvest
- Moist soil
Ornamental
Bangalow palm
Bangalow palm is an eastern Australian native palm with arching fronds and a smooth crownshaft. It grows naturally in moist gullies, rainforest and streamside country.
- Moist soil
- Sandy soil
Ornamental
Banksia
Banksias range from groundcovers to large trees, with nectar-rich flower spikes that bring birds into the garden. Match the species to your climate and soil rather than treating all banksias the same.
- Bird food
Ornamental
Barleria
Barleria obtusa is a spreading warm-climate shrub grown for its purple flowers through the cooler part of the year. It handles sun or part shade, responds well to pruning and can be kept as a rounded shrub rather than allowed to sprawl.
- Pollinators
- Sandy soil
Herb & spice
Basil
Basil grows quickly in warm weather and likes regular picking. Remove flower buds for a longer leaf harvest, or leave some flowers if you want seed or food for pollinators.
- Pollinators
- Edible harvest
Veggie
Beans
Common garden beans include bush and climbing types grown for fresh pods or mature beans. Climbing types need support and regular picking keeps fresh-pod varieties productive.
- Edible harvest
- Climber
Veggie
Beetroot
Beetroot is a quick root crop that also gives edible leaves. It grows best in loose soil and mild conditions.
- Edible harvest
- Pots
Ornamental
Bird of paradise
Bird of paradise makes a dense clump of paddle-shaped leaves and orange-and-blue flowers without becoming a giant tree. Sun, drainage and enough room around the clump make the biggest difference.
- Pots
- Cut flower
Ornamental
Black bat plant
Black bat plant is a genuine tropical shade plant with huge whiskered flowers and glossy leaves. It needs shelter, moisture and warmth, not a sunny tropical-garden position.
- Pots
- Moist soil
Looking for step-by-step growing advice? Read the growing guides.