Australia’s Native Plants

From sunbaked coasts to red-center deserts, plant communities shape Australia’s regions, support wildlife and inform local land use and gardening practices.

There are 30 Australia’s native plants, ranging from Australian blackthorn to White cypress pine; for each, the table lists Scientific name,Height (m),Habitat & range — you’ll find below.

How can I use this list to help identify plants where I live?

Look at the Habitat & range and Height (m) columns first to narrow candidates by location and size, then match leaves, flowers or bark to the Scientific name to confirm identification; local field guides or plant ID apps can speed this up, and comparing multiple traits reduces mistakes.

Are any of these species rare or regulated, and how should I source plants?

Some species have restricted ranges or conservation listings—check state conservation registers before collecting or propagating; for gardening, buy from reputable native nurseries that label plants by scientific name and avoid wild-harvesting protected species.

Australia’s Native Plants

Images and Descriptions

Blue gum

Tall, aromatic eucalyptus with smooth bark and long blue-green leaves. Grows fast in cool, damp sites; useful for shade and timber. Support local wildlife but avoid planting outside native range; some populations have conservation importance in Tasmania.

Mountain ash

One of the tallest flowering trees, with straight trunk and flaky bark. Thrives in deep, moist soils and regrows after fire from seed; valued for timber and habitat. Large trees are ecologically important; old-growth stands need protection.

River red gum

Iconic riverine tree with spreading branches and smooth pale bark. Tolerates flooding and drought; great for banks and wildlife hollows. Useful in large landscapes; conserve floodplain habitats to maintain healthy populations.

Lemon-scented gum

Distinctive smooth, pale trunk and lemon-scented leaves when crushed. Fast-growing ornamental for streets and parks; needs well-drained soil and space. Attractive to birds; protect natural stands from clearing and pests.

Golden wattle

Australia’s floral emblem; bright yellow pompom flowers in winter–spring. Useful as shelterbelt and soil improver; tolerates poor soils and drought. Easy to grow from seed; some local forms are regionally conservation-important.

Old man banksia

Rough-furred bark and large cylindrical flower spikes attracting birds and mammals. Excellent coastal hedge or specimen; prefers well-drained sandy soils. Seed banks persist in soils; fire regimes affect regeneration and conservation.

Coast banksia

Salt-tolerant tree with serrated leaves and golden flower spikes. Popular for coastal plantings and wildlife gardens; tolerates wind and poor soils. Conserved in coastal reserves; plant local provenance for best results.

Bull banksia

Large shrub or small tree with massive flower heads and serrated leaves. Striking specimen for sunlit gardens; requires excellent drainage and summer dryness. Endemic to WA; habitat protection important for wild populations.

Silky oak

Fast-growing tree with fern-like foliage and orange toothbrush flowers that attract birds. Excellent shade and screening tree; prefers sheltered positions and good drainage. Native habitat shrinking from clearing; support remnant vegetation conservation.

Juniper grevillea

Dense, low shrub with needle-like leaves and red to orange spider flowers. Versatile garden plant for borders and rockeries; prune after flowering and plant in well-drained soil. Many local forms; preserve wild genetic diversity.

Crimson bottlebrush

Eye-catching red bottlebrush flowers and papery bark; nectar-rich for birds. Good for coastal gardens and wet sites with sun; tolerate periodic waterlogging. Protect wetland habitats where species occurs; avoid planting outside natural range.

Paperbark

Rough, layered bark and creamy bottlebrush flowers; excellent for damp soils and wildlife. Useful as feature tree in wet gardens; tolerates periodic inundation. Natural wetland habitat conservation is crucial for this species’ health.

Waratah

Large dramatic red flower heads on woody shrubs; NSW floral emblem. Prefers acid, well-drained soils and cool climates; excellent for showy native gardens. Localised wild populations can be sensitive to land clearing and altered fire regimes.

Red kangaroo paw

Striking tubular flowers on tall stalks in red hues; attracts birds. Ideal for sunny, well-drained gardens and pots; avoid overwatering and provide good drainage. Endemic to WA; habitat fragmentation threatens some populations.

Grass tree

Iconic slow-growing plant with tough trunk, tufted leaves and tall flower spikes. Superb in native rockeries and low-fire regimes; sensitive to root disturbance and Phytophthora. Many species are long-lived and conservation-important.

Spiny-head mat-rush

Tough, grasslike clumping perennial used for erosion control, massing and borders. Drought-tolerant, low-maintenance and great for wildlife. Widely used in revegetation; choose local provenance to support native ecosystems.

Blue flax-lily

Clumping perennial with blue berries, strappy leaves and blue-lilac flowers. Good for understorey plantings, pots and banks; tolerates light shade and coastal exposure. Provides food for birds; maintain habitat to support pollinators.

Pincushion hakea

Rounded flower heads resembling pincushions and leathery leaves. Attractive specimen for banks and hedging; requires well-drained sandy soils and sun. Endemic to WA; protect native kwongan habitat to conserve populations.

Manuka tea-tree

Compact shrub with small needle leaves and white to pink flowers; nectar source for bees. Ideal in moist, acidic soils and bog gardens; prune lightly after flowering. Regional populations may have conservation value.

Spotted emu-bush

Variable shrubs with tubular flowers in many colours, drought-hardy and bird-attracting. Excellent for dry gardens and revegetation; prefers free-draining soils and full sun. Occurs across harsh regions; maintain natural habitats and seed sources.

Fragrant boronia

Low, intensely fragrant pink flowers prized for perfumes and gardens. Prefers well-drained, sandy soils and dappled sun; can be short-lived in cultivation. Many species restricted to SW WA; habitat conservation critical for survival.

Firewheel tree

Attractive canopy tree with wheel-like red flower clusters that attract birds. Suited to large gardens and subtropical streetscapes; needs sheltered, fertile sites. Rainforest habitat protection supports species longevity and genetic diversity.

Burrawang (cycad)

Robust cycad with pinnate leaves and stout trunk; ancient lineage. Slow-growing feature plant for native gardens; avoid soil waterlogging and protect from root disturbance. Many cycads are legally protected; wild collection is prohibited.

White cypress pine

Conical native conifer with durable timber and fine foliage. Useful windbreak and shelterbelt species; tolerates poor soils and drought. Supports inland ecosystems; logging and land clearing can reduce populations.

Mulla mulla

Heat-tolerant perennial with soft, fluffy pink flower spikes. Great for low-water gardens and mass plantings; prefers open sunny positions and free-draining soils. Widespread but local populations benefit from protecting native grasslands.

Australian blackthorn

Spiky shrub with small white flowers that attract native insects and birds. Useful wildlife hedge and shelter for small creatures; tolerates varied soils. Retain remnant patches to support local biodiversity and pollinators.

Daisy bush

Shrubby daisy with aromatic leaves and abundant daisy-like flowers. Great for cottage-style native gardens and hedging; prefers cool, moist, well-drained sites. Some populations are sensitive to habitat loss; source nursery stock responsibly.

Silver banksia

Versatile banksia with variable habit, serrated leaves and golden flower spikes. Good for wildlife gardens and coastal plantings; tolerates a range of soils and climates. Local genetic forms adapted to regions; conserve natural stands.

Lance-leaf geebung

Small tree or shrub with yellow tubular flowers and fleshy fruit eaten by wildlife. Prefers well-drained sandy soils and open sites; generally slow to establish. Many Persoonia species are sensitive to habitat change and require conservation.

Native violet

Delicate groundcover with heart-shaped leaves and small purple-white flowers. Ideal for shaded rockeries, underplanting and damp corners; tolerates light foot traffic. Local groundcover remnants support native insect communities; avoid over-clearing.

Native Plants in Other Countries