Last Updated on December 27, 2022 by Clarisse Walters
Top 10 Native Australian Plant
Australia is known for its diverse wildlife and the home for many amazing plants and unique shrubs. Plants play a central role in the four major components of the ecosystem; tundra, grasslands, deserts, and forests.
There is a wide range of exciting flora to appreciate in Australia and many have been around for thousands of years.
The native forests and gardens are the best way to ensure that animals feel safe in their natural habitat. There are approximately 24,000 species of Australian native plants. Here are some of them you probably did not know.
Common plants in Australia
- Spider flower (Cleome hassleriana)
- Native bluebell (Wahlenbergia stricta)
- Golden Everlasting daisy (Xerochrysum)
- The flannel flower (Actinotus helianthin)
- Rice Flower (Ozothamnus diosmifolius)
- Silver Spurflower (Plectranthus argentatus)
- Everlasting Strawflower (Xerochrysum bracteatum)
- Callistemon Little John Bottlebrush or weeping bottle-brush (Callistemon viminalis)
- Trigger Grass (Stylidium graminifolium)
- Small Crowea, Dwarf Crowea or Low Crowea (Crowea exalata)
Video – 10 Colourful Native Plants in Australia
Popular Australian Plants
Australia boasts of most of the best hybrid native plants the earth has seen in many years. They have fantastic color ranges and sizes. They also have beautiful flowering plants. Here are some of the famous Australian native species of plants.
Blue gum (Eucalyptus gunii)
Blue gum, also called cider gum, is a low-maintenance Australian native tree that achieves a mature size of 9m to 21m in height and 5.4m to 12m in width. It can grow in any type of soil as long as it is moist and well-drained, though it can also stand poorly-drained soil.
It thrives well in partial sun to full sun exposure. It prefers acidic or neutral PH. Plant life evolved separately from the rest of the planet and there are many unusual and unique species within a diverse range of growing conditions.
Eucalyptus is fragrant, showy, and evergreen. Throughout summer, fall, and winter, it blooms in spring with pale-blue flowers that attract birds. It is deer and drought-resistant and can grow from Melbourne to Sydney and is also common in Canberra, Queensland and Brisbane.
Bottlebrush (Callistemon citrinus)
Crimson bottlebrush is an evergreen shrub with arch-like branches common in NSW. A mature plant is 3 inches to 7.5 inches tall and 3 inches to 20 inches wide. It grows well in moist, well-drained sandy, clay, or loamy soils with acidic or neutral PH and full sun exposure.
Bottlebrush is fragrant, showy, and evergreen and attracts butterflies, hummingbirds, and birds. It blossoms in spring, all summer, fall, and winter.
Yellow Wattle (Acacia pycnantha)
Yellow wattle, also called bailey acacia, is a shrub or small tree that grows as tall as 6m to 9m and 6m to 12m wide. It grows in moist, well-drained acidic or neutral loam or sandy soil.
It is showy and deer-resistant and requires exposure to full sun to flourish. It blooms throughout spring, summer, fall, and winter. It is ideal for wall-side borders.
Kangaroo paw (Anigozanthos flavidus)
Kangaroo paw is a low-maintenance perennial plant that is showy and evergreen. It grows well in well-drained neutral or acidic loam or sandy soil. It requires full sun exposure to flourish. A kangaroo paw plant can grow up to 1 to 6 inches in height and 1 to 3 inches wide. It is drought, rabbit, and deer-resistant and attracts birds. Kangaroo paw is suitable for patio and containers, beds, and borders.
Australian Native Plants List with Pictures
The beauty of Australian flora and fauna is beyond imagination. Australia flaunts some of the most beautiful and unique plants. These native plants are popular, and you can easily incorporate them into any garden and landscape style. Check out these great Australian native plants and pictures.
Adenanthos Coral Carpet or flame bush (Adenanthos cuneatus)
Bird’s nest fern (Asplenium nidus)
Asteromyrtus Fireball (Asteromyrtus brassii)
Tasmanian Waratah (Telopea truncate)
‘Misty Pink Grevillea’ (Grevillea banksii x sessilis)
Swan River Myrtle (Hypocalymma robustum)
Australian Native Trees and Shrubs
Some of the most attractive trees growing naturally, and some that are best for growing in your yard are Australian natives. These plants are either perennial or annual, and all grow in different climatic conditions. The native plants have significant benefits to both humans and animals.
Some of the most outstanding Australian native trees and shrubs are flowering while others are fruit-bearing plants. The native trees provide shade for people and food, and a home for wild animals. The shrubs can make unique statement plants in your garden and create an ideal habitat for animals, including crawling insects.
There is a diverse range of trees throughout Australia, from oil-bearing trees like Eucalyptus to tea treas and the incredible Flame Tree (Brachychiton acerifolius). Wood from the sclerophyll forest as used by early man for fires and charcoal creation, preceding European colonisation.
- Wattle tree (Acacia)
- Illawarra plum tree (Podocarpus elatus)
- Tucker Bush cherry tree (Syzygium austral)
- Grevillea tree (Grevillea robusta)
- Acacia Honey Bun (Acacia howittii)
- Acmena Cherry Surprise (Acmena smithii)
- Acacia Minicog (Acacia cognata)
- Spotted Gum (Corymbia Maculata)
Infographic – Try these Australian plants for your garden at home
Australian Native Shrubs
The native shrubs of Australia are a significant resource. They make the environment attractive and offer homes and food to some animals. The Mediterranean climate and the adjacent semi-desert regions of Australia provide the ideal conditions for the survival of most of the shrubs in Australia.
A broad range of Australian native compact shrubs makes a fantastic feature shrub. The best thing is that most shrubs are low-maintenance after their establishment. Check these tremendous selections.
- Wax flower (Philotheca buxifolia)
- Black Eyed Susan (Tetratheca thymifolia)
- Heart-leaf flame pea (Chorizema cordatum)
- Native Fuchsia (Correa jezabell)
- The Dampiera (Dampiera stricta)
- Chamomile Sunray (Rhodanthe antimonides)
- Brown Boronia (Boronia megastigma)
Australian Native Plants for Garden
Apart from the naturally growing native plants in Australia, some species are fit for growing in the garden. All you need is to choose a plant that accepts the soil and sun conditions in your garden. Check out some Australian native plants for the garden.
Brachyscome Daisy or swan river daisy | Brachyscome | Swan river daisy is a perennial plant that grows 12 to 18 inches tall and spreads up to 1 to 3 feet wide. It produces blue, lavender, pink, or white flowers in summer and fall. It grows best in rich, well-drained slightly acidic to alkaline soil and requires full sun exposure to flourish. |
Balm Mint bushes | Mentha spp. | Mint bush is a perennial herb that can grow as tall as 12 to 18 inches and spread to 18 to 24 inches. It thrives in moist, well-drained loamy soil with acidic or neutral PH. Its season of interest is summer. |
Spider flowers | Grevillea | The spider flower is an Australian shrub that grows 120cm to 180cm tall and spreads 120cm to 180cm in well-drained neutral or acidic loam or sandy soil. The spider flower plant blooms in spring, summer, fall, and winter and requires partial to full sun. the spider flower is drought and deer-resistant. |
Austromyrtus Midgen Berry | Austromyrtus dulcis | The midgen berry is a perennial shrub that thrives in all well-draining soil types. It produces small white flowers in spring and summer. It flourishes in tropical and sub-tropical climates and requires partial shade to full sun. |
Juncus pallidus | Pale Rush | Pale rush is an evergreen plant that grows in all soil types as long it is boggy, moisture-retentive, and has acidic, neutral, or alkaline PH. Juncus pallidus Pale Rush thrives in partial shade to full sun. |
Colorful Australian Native Plants
Here are some native Australian plants that spruce up the environment.
- Fan flower
- Bush pearl
- Flowering gum
- Grey cottonheads
- Callistemon ‘All Aglow’
Small Australian Native Plants
Some Australian native plants are small and suitable for growing in pots and containers. Here are examples of such small plants.
- Lily lily
- Westringia
- Aussie Flat Bush
- Grevillea Crimson Villea
- Green John or Callistemon viminalis
FAQ
What Is the Plant That Is Only Found in Australia?
A Sturt’s desert rose (Gossypium sturtianum) is only found in Australia. It is a large shrub with a maximum height of 3meters. It tolerates any soil type that is dry and well-drained with acidic, neutral, or alkaline PH. It is drought-resistant. It thrives in full sun. Sturt’s Desert Rose blooms from winter all year round, producing mauve flowers.
What Are Some Indigenous Plants in Australia?
Australia has many varieties of indigenous plants ranging from flowering to fruit-bearing. Here is a list of some of these plants.
- Acacia (wattles)
- Eucalyptus (gum tree) (notably in the Blue Mountains of NSW)
- Native bluebell
- Grass tree (one of the ancient three species of trees)
- EremopHila
- Melaleuca
- Bull Kauri
- Palm Valley Myrtle
- Hillgrove Spotted Gum
- Sturt’s Desert Rose
What Is a Famous Plant in Australia?
Eucalypt native forests are iconic and essential in the conservation of Australia’s biodiversity. The Eucalyptus gum tree is the most famous tree in Australia’s environment. It is a unique addition to any home garden, not the surrounding at large. Native Australians use almost every part of the eucalypt tree for their own benefit.
Eucalypts are a significant source of wood due to their size, wood quality, and their widespread distribution. Eucalypts have various features like durability, weight, wood color, shape, and strength, ideal for many applications.
Oil from eucalypt leaves is suitable for making perfumes and aromatherapy. A eucalypt is also ideal for fuelwood, chipping, and paper pulp.
What Is Australia’s Native Flower?
The golden wattle (Acacia pycnantha) has been a well-known Australian floral emblem since 1901. It is a small evergreen tree or spreading shrub. It mainly grows in the under storey or woodlands, open scrubs, and open forest in southern Australia, new south Wales, and the capital of Australia.
Australia has over 760 different varieties of wattles. Australians hold the golden wattle flower high and use it to make various products.
Some main points relating to Australian plants, flowers, shrubs and trees
- Australia is one of the largest countries and also an island, with diverse climate extremes and arid conditions
- Many leaf vegetable types are edible, such as Warrigal greens, but take care – many plsnts are downright poisonous
- Some plant species are common to New Caledonia and New Zealand, while many are unique and endemic
- Climate change is impacting some plant species by reducing rainfall where there was once ample water
- There are many National Parks and protected areas in Australia to try and conserve the flora
- The biological sciences acknowledge that Austrlia contains unique species of both flora and fauna
Other notable Australian species of plants
- Hardenbergia violacea (The Happy Wanderer)
- Agathis microstachya (Bull Kauri)
- Alyogyne huegelii (Blue Hibiscus)
- Swainsona formosa (Sturt’s Desert Pea)
- Citrus australasica (Finger Lime)
Other resources relating to Australian plants native to Australia
Australia’s native plants – Tourism Australia
9 Australian native plants and trees to attract wildlife
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