Climate Zone

Tropical

178 plants

Okra · Abelmoschus esculentus A heat-loving relative of hibiscus with pretty yellow flowers and tender, ridged pods. Pick the pods young and often, before they turn woody.
Maidenhair Fern · Adiantum raddianum Delicate, fan-shaped fronds of tissue-thin foliage on fine black stems. Pet-safe and graceful, it demands constant moisture and humidity to stay lush.
Urn Plant · Aechmea fasciata A striking bromeliad with arching silver-banded grey-green leaves forming a water-holding vase, topped by a long-lasting pink bract studded with blue flowers. A classic indoor and shade-garden feature.
Chinese Evergreen · Aglaonema commutatum A tough, decorative foliage plant with patterned leaves in silver, green and pink. Among the most tolerant of low light and neglect, ideal for offices and dim rooms.
Alocasia Polly · Alocasia × amazonica Dramatic arrow-shaped leaves of deep green edged and veined in silvery white. A striking but demanding aroid that loves warmth and humidity.
Zebra Alocasia · Alocasia zebrina Prized for its zebra-striped stems holding aloft glossy arrowhead leaves. An eye-catching collector's aroid that needs bright light and steady humidity.
Shell Ginger · Alpinia zerumbet A robust clumping ginger with arching leafy canes and drooping sprays of waxy shell-pink buds opening to yellow-and-red flowers. A lush, fragrant screening and feature plant for warm, sheltered gardens.
Custard Apple · Annona cherimola Knobbly green fruit with sweet, fragrant, custard-like flesh on a briefly deciduous subtropical tree. Hand-pollination greatly improves the crop in cooler districts.
Flamingo Flower · Anthurium andraeanum Glossy heart-shaped leaves and waxy, long-lasting spathes in vivid red, pink or white. A cheerful flowering houseplant that blooms much of the year in bright light.
Zebra Plant · Aphelandra squarrosa Striking dark leaves boldly veined in white, topped by bright yellow bracts. Beautiful but fussy, it demands warmth, humidity and steady moisture.
Bird's Nest Fern · Asplenium nidus Broad, glossy, undivided fronds unfurl from a central rosette like a leafy nest. Pet-safe and easy-going, it tolerates lower light than most ferns.
Lemon Myrtle · Backhousia citriodora A rainforest tree whose glossy leaves release an intense lemon fragrance and are prized as a bush-tucker culinary herb, topped with fluffy cream flowers in summer. A useful aromatic feature and screen.
Chinese Dwarf Bamboo · Bambusa multiplex 'Chinese Dwarf' A low, dense clumping bamboo with fine green foliage to the ground, forming a soft, manageable screen or informal hedge. Non-invasive and ideal where height needs to be kept in check.
Goldstripe Bamboo · Bambusa multiplex 'Goldstripe' A compact clumping bamboo with fine arching foliage and golden-yellow canes, forming a dense, tidy screen. Non-invasive and well suited to smaller gardens and hedging.
Giant Timber Bamboo · Bambusa oldhamii A large, vigorous clumping bamboo with thick upright green canes and a lush leafy canopy, making a fast, tall privacy screen or windbreak. Non-invasive and tolerant of a wide range of climates.
Slender Weavers Bamboo · Bambusa textilis 'Gracilis' A tall, well-behaved clumping bamboo with upright slender green canes and a narrow footprint, making it Australia's most popular living privacy screen. Non-invasive and fast to establish a dense green wall.
Polka Dot Begonia · Begonia maculata An angel-wing begonia with olive leaves spotted silver above and deep red beneath. Cane-like and elegant, it dangles clusters of white flowers in season.
Rex Begonia · Begonia rex Grown purely for its spectacular foliage swirled in silver, purple, pink and green. A jewel-toned feature plant that loves humidity and bright, indirect light.
Wax Begonia · Begonia semperflorens Compact mounds of glossy green or bronze leaves dotted with flowers from spring to frost, in sun or shade. Tidy, weather-proof and self-cleaning bedding; mildly toxic to pets.
Paper Flower · Bougainvillea glabra A thorny, vigorous evergreen climber celebrated for its dazzling, long-lasting papery bracts in vivid magenta and purple surrounding tiny white true flowers. Thrives in heat and revels in poor, dry soils.
Great Bougainvillea · Bougainvillea spectabilis A robust, large-growing climber armed with stout thorns and clothed in showy crimson, red and orange bract clusters over a very long season. A spectacular subtropical screen for hot, sunny positions.
Angel's Trumpet · Brugmansia x candida A dramatic large shrub hung with enormous pendulous trumpet flowers that pour out a heady perfume in the evening. Spectacular but extremely toxic in all parts; handle and site with care.
Yesterday-Today-and-Tomorrow · Brunfelsia latifolia A fragrant shrub whose flowers open deep purple, fade to lavender then white, so all three shades appear together. Sweetly scented in spring; all parts are toxic, especially to dogs.
Ivory Curl Tree · Buckinghamia celsissima A Queensland rainforest tree with glossy foliage and long, fragrant cream flower spikes that cascade over the canopy in summer. A spectacular feature and street tree for warm climates.
Canna 'Bengal Tiger' · Canna 'Bengal Tiger' A bold bog-tolerant canna grown for dramatic green leaves boldly striped in yellow and edged maroon, topped by vivid orange flowers. Thrives in rich, wet soil at the pond margin or in borders.
Canna Lily · Canna indica Bold paddle-shaped leaves, often bronze or striped, topped by vivid tropical flowers all summer. Lush and fast in warmth, but the rhizomes can become invasive near waterways.
Capsicum · Capsicum annuum · from $3.95 A warm-season vegetable bearing crisp sweet capsicums or fiery chillies that ripen from green to red, yellow or orange. Compact and productive in garden beds or containers in full sun.
Capsicum 'Banana' · Capsicum annuum 'Banana Capsicum' A sweet, mild pepper with long, tapering yellow fruit that ripen to red or orange. Crisp and prolific, lovely raw, grilled or pickled.
Capsicum 'California Wonder' · Capsicum annuum 'California Wonder' A classic blocky sweet pepper with thick, crisp walls, ripening from green to brilliant red. The benchmark capsicum for stuffing, roasting and salads.
Capsicum 'Sweet Bullhorn' · Capsicum annuum 'Sweet Bullhorn' A long, horn-shaped sweet pepper with thick, sugary flesh, superb roasted or grilled. Fruit ripen from green through to deep red on a sturdy bush.
Chilli 'Cayenne' · Capsicum annuum 'Cayenne' Long, slender, fiery-red chillies that dry beautifully for flakes and powder. A heavy-yielding, dependable hot variety for pots or the open garden.
Chilli 'Jalapeno' · Capsicum annuum 'Jalapeno' A plump, medium-hot Mexican chilli picked green or ripened red, perfect for nachos and pickling. Compact and free-fruiting in a hot, sunny position.
Chilli 'Serrano' · Capsicum annuum 'Serrano' A crisp, bright Mexican chilli with clean, sharp heat, eaten fresh in salsas. Slim green fruit ripen to red on a tidy, productive bush.
Chilli 'Habanero' · Capsicum chinense 'Habanero' A searingly hot, lantern-shaped chilli with intense fruity aroma, ripening orange or red. Needs a long, hot season and is well suited to a sunny pot.
Chilli 'Birdseye' · Capsicum frutescens 'Birdseye' Tiny, upward-pointing chillies that pack a fierce, sharp heat, much loved in Thai cooking. An ornamental, prolific bush ideal for a warm courtyard pot.
Cattleya Orchid · Cattleya hybrid The flamboyant corsage orchid, producing large, often fragrant ruffled blooms in vivid lavender, pink and white from stout pseudobulbs. A showpiece orchid for bright, warm, airy positions.
Celosia · Celosia argentea Flamboyant plumes or velvety brain-like crests in fiery colours that thrive in summer heat and humidity. Striking fresh or dried; loves warmth and resents cold, wet feet.
Parlour Palm · Chamaedorea elegans A compact, dainty feather palm that thrives in low light and tight spaces. Pet-safe and undemanding, a long-standing favourite for tabletops and shelves.
Spider Plant · Chlorophytum comosum An effortless classic with arching striped leaves that throws out dangling plantlets on long stems. Pet-safe, fast and endlessly propagated, perfect for hanging baskets.
Kangaroo Vine · Cissus antarctica A lush evergreen rainforest climber with glossy toothed leaves that quickly clothes a fence or pergola in deep green and tolerates shade. A hardy screening vine and popular indoor plant.
Watermelon · Citrullus lanatus Long, hot summers reward you with heavy, sweet, thirst-quenching fruit on a sprawling vine. Needs warmth, room and a free-draining sandy bed to ripen well.
Lime · Citrus aurantiifolia Glossy evergreen leaves, fragrant white blossom and a heavy crop of tangy green fruit. The most cold-sensitive of the common citrus — give it the warmest, sunniest corner.
Makrut Lime · Citrus hystrix 'Makrut' Grown chiefly for its intensely aromatic double leaves used in Thai and Southeast Asian cooking, with knobbly fruit yielding fragrant zest. Compact and ideal for pots, it needs a warm, frost-free position.
Tahitian Lime · Citrus x latifolia 'Tahitian' The common seedless market lime, bearing juicy green-to-yellow fruit through the warmer months on a near-thornless tree. Frost-sensitive but otherwise easy, thriving in a warm, sheltered, sunny spot.
Taro · Colocasia esculenta Enormous heart-shaped leaves on tall stalks, often flushed in dramatic dark purple. A water-loving tropical that makes a lush, bold feature in a bright, humid spot.
Ti Plant · Cordyline fruticosa Vivid strappy foliage flushed in pink, burgundy and green on upright stems. A colourful tropical accent that brightens warm, bright interiors.
Summer Beauty · Corymbia ptychocarpa 'Summer Beauty' A grafted tropical bloodwood with large glossy leaves and enormous pendulous trusses of soft pink flowers in summer. A spectacular feature tree for warm gardens.
Spiral Ginger · Costus barbatus A tropical spiral ginger with leafy stems that twist as they grow, topped by a red cone-shaped bract emitting yellow tubular flowers. A lush, exotic feature for warm, moist, sheltered positions.
Fishbone Prayer Plant · Ctenanthe burle-marxii Low, spreading clumps of pale leaves brushed with dark green fishbone bars and burgundy undersides. A lush, pet-safe groundcover-style foliage plant for shaded rooms.
Rockmelon · Cucumis melo Fragrant, netted-skin melons with sweet orange flesh, trailing across a sunny bed. Like watermelon, it craves a long hot season to develop full sweetness.
Cucumber · Cucumis sativus · from $3.50 A fast-growing warm-season climber or trailer producing crisp refreshing fruit through summer. Easy and prolific, best trained up a trellis in full sun with steady moisture.
Cucumber 'Apple' · Cucumis sativus 'Apple' An old favourite bearing round, pale cream-skinned fruit with crisp, mild, refreshing flesh. A heavy-cropping climber, lovely sliced fresh in summer salads.
Cucumber 'Burpless' · Cucumis sativus 'Burpless' A long, slender, mild cucumber bred to be easy to digest with thin, bitter-free skin. A vigorous climbing vine that fruits abundantly through summer.
Cucumber 'Lebanese' · Cucumis sativus 'Lebanese' A smooth, thin-skinned cucumber with crisp, sweet, almost seedless flesh eaten without peeling. A climbing vine that crops heavily on a trellis in warm weather.
Pumpkin · Cucurbita maxima Sprawling vines that ramble across the garden and reward you with heavy, sweet, long-keeping fruit. Give them room and a rich, sunny bed and they'll do the rest.
Pumpkin 'Jap' · Cucurbita maxima 'Jap' A mottled green-and-grey skinned pumpkin with deep-orange, intensely sweet flesh. A trailing vine and one of the best-flavoured pumpkins for roasting.
Pumpkin 'Queensland Blue' · Cucurbita maxima 'Queensland Blue' A classic Australian heirloom with large, deeply ribbed, blue-grey fruit and firm, sweet orange flesh. A vigorous vine and an excellent long keeper.
Pumpkin 'Butternut' · Cucurbita moschata 'Butternut' A sprawling vine bearing pear-shaped pumpkins with sweet, nutty orange flesh and few seeds. Stores well and is the most popular pumpkin for roasting and soups.
Squash 'Button' · Cucurbita pepo 'Button Squash' A bushy summer squash bearing scallop-edged, button-shaped fruit picked young and tender in green, yellow or white. Heavy-cropping and quick from seed.
Zucchini · Cucurbita pepo One of the most productive plants in the garden — a single bush can swamp a kitchen with glossy summer fruit. Pick young and often for the best flavour and a steady supply.
Zucchini 'Black Beauty' · Cucurbita pepo 'Black Beauty' The classic dark-green zucchini, a compact bush that crops abundantly with glossy, tender fruit. Pick young and often to keep the plant producing all summer.
Zucchini 'Golden' · Cucurbita pepo 'Golden' A bright golden-yellow zucchini with sweet, tender flesh that lights up the plate. A compact, productive bush, lovely grilled, in fritters or raw in salads.
Australian Nut Palm · Cycas media An Australian native cycad forming a palm-like trunk topped with arching glossy fronds, found through Queensland's tropical woodlands. A hardy architectural feature; seeds and foliage are toxic to pets.
Lemongrass · Cymbopogon citratus A lush, fountaining clump of citrus-scented grass — the swollen leaf bases lend their fragrance to Thai and Vietnamese cooking. Loves warmth and resents cold, wet winters.
Dwarf Papyrus 'King Tut' · Cyperus papyrus 'King Tut' A more compact selection of papyrus with the same green firework heads on slender stems, ideal for tubs, pots and small water features. Grows happily in saturated soil or shallow water.
Papyrus · Cyperus papyrus A tall, architectural marginal sedge with triangular stems topped by spherical bursts of fine green thread-like bracts. Dramatic at the edge of large ponds or in bog gardens.
Rabbit's Foot Fern · Davallia fejeensis Lacy, finely divided fronds rise from furry creeping rhizomes that drape over the pot like little paws. Pet-safe and charming in a hanging basket.
Noble Dendrobium · Dendrobium nobile A cane orchid bearing clusters of large, fragrant flowers in white, pink and purple all along its leafless pseudobulbs in late winter and spring. A rewarding, free-flowering orchid for bright positions.
Dumb Cane · Dieffenbachia seguine A lush, upright foliage plant with large leaves marbled in cream and green. Striking and easy, but its sap is irritating, so handle with care around pets and children.
Corn Plant · Dracaena fragrans 'Massangeana' Thick woody canes crowned with arching, corn-like leaves striped yellow-green. A tough, low-light floor plant that brings tropical height indoors.
Madagascar Dragon Tree · Dracaena marginata An architectural plant with slender canes topped by spiky rosettes of red-edged leaves. Drought-tolerant and sculptural, it adds height to any bright room.
Snake Plant · Dracaena trifasciata Upright, sculptural sword-leaves that tolerate anything from a dim hallway to a bright window, and weeks without water. As tough as houseplants get.
Geisha Girl Duranta · Duranta erecta 'Geisha Girl' A fast warm-climate shrub bearing sprays of two-tone purple-and-white flowers followed by golden berry clusters. Popular as a colourful clipped hedge; the berries and leaves are toxic if eaten.
Golden Cane Palm · Dypsis lutescens A clumping feather palm with golden stems and arching fronds that bring tropical lushness indoors. Pet-safe and popular as a bright-room floor specimen.
Water Hyacinth · Eichhornia crassipes A free-floating aquatic with glossy rounded leaves on inflated buoyant stalks and showy lavender-blue flower spikes. A declared noxious weed across much of Australia and illegal to keep in many states.
Pothos · Epipremnum aureum The forgiving trailing vine that thrives on neglect and low light — cascade it from a shelf or train it up a pole. The first plant for nervous beginners.
Torch Ginger · Etlingera elatior A tall tropical ginger with lush leafy canes and dramatic waxy torch-like flower heads of red or pink rising on separate stems. A spectacular feature and exotic cut flower for warm, moist gardens.
Weeping Fig · Ficus benjamina A graceful indoor tree with arching branches and small, glossy pointed leaves. It dislikes being moved and may drop leaves while settling, but is elegant once established.
Rubber Plant · Ficus elastica A robust indoor tree with thick, glossy oval leaves in deep green or burgundy tones. Tolerant and long-lived, it grows into a handsome upright specimen.
Fiddle Leaf Fig · Ficus lyrata The fashionable indoor tree with enormous, violin-shaped leathery leaves. A striking architectural statement that rewards a bright, draught-free spot and steady routine.
Nerve Plant · Fittonia albivenis A low, spreading plant with leaves laced in fine pink or white veins. Pet-safe and perfect for terrariums, it dramatically wilts when even slightly dry.
Florida Gardenia · Gardenia augusta 'Florida' A compact rounded gardenia carrying intensely perfumed, waxy double white flowers above glossy emerald foliage from spring into summer. One of the most popular fragrant shrubs for warm gardens and pots.
Rattlesnake Plant · Calathea lancifolia Long, wavy-edged leaves spotted like a rattlesnake's skin with rich purple undersides. A lively, pet-safe Calathea that folds upright as evening falls.
Peacock Plant · Calathea makoyana Intricately feathered leaves with translucent peacock patterning and purple undersides. A pet-safe stunner that demands humidity and softened water.
Calathea Orbifolia · Calathea orbifolia Large rounded leaves striped in silvery green that ripple with quiet drama. A pet-safe beauty that rewards humidity and even moisture with show-stopping foliage.
Scarlet Star · Guzmania lingulata A glossy green rosette crowned with a long-lasting star of brilliant scarlet, orange or yellow bracts. One of the most popular flowering bromeliads for indoors and shaded tropical displays.
Hanging Lobster Claw · Heliconia rostrata A clumping tropical perennial with paddle-shaped leaves and spectacular pendent flower spikes of red claw-like bracts tipped yellow and green. A bold feature and cut flower for warm, sheltered gardens.
Dwarf Umbrella Tree · Heptapleurum arboricola An easy, bushy indoor tree with glossy leaflets fanning out like umbrella spokes. Fast-growing and tolerant, it responds well to pruning and even bonsai.
Snake Vine · Hibbertia scandens A scrambling coastal climber and groundcover with glossy leaves and large bright yellow buttercup-like flowers through much of the year. A tough, versatile cover for banks, fences and dunes.
Hibiscus · Hibiscus rosa-sinensis The quintessential tropical flowering shrub, producing a non-stop succession of huge, flamboyant trumpet flowers in every warm colour. Loves heat and sun; frost-tender but spectacular in warm gardens.
Hippeastrum · Hippeastrum hybrid Huge trumpet flowers on stout stalks make a spectacular pot or border display in warm climates. The large bulbs are easy and long-lived but toxic to pets and people.
Wax Plant · Hoya carnosa A long-lived trailing vine with thick waxy leaves and clusters of star-shaped, sweetly scented flowers. Pet-safe and undemanding, it blooms best when slightly potbound.
Busy Lizzie · Impatiens walleriana The go-to bedding plant for shade, smothering itself in flat flowers all the warm months in moist soil. Frost-tender and thirsty, it rewards regular water with non-stop colour.
Sweet Potato · Ipomoea batatas A vigorous, heat-loving vine grown from rooted cuttings called slips, yielding sweet, nutritious tubers. The leaves are edible too, and it makes a lush summer groundcover.
Blue Morning Glory · Ipomoea indica A fast, twining climber that opens a daily flush of large azure-blue to purple funnel flowers. Striking but highly invasive, it is a serious environmental weed that smothers bushland and gardens.
Arabian Jasmine · Jasminum sambac A tender, scrambling evergreen jasmine bearing intensely fragrant waxy white flowers that age to pink, blooming through the warmer months. Beloved for perfume, garlands and scenting tea.
Ruffled Fan Palm · Licuala grandis Striking, undivided circular fronds pleated like ruffled fans of glossy green. Pet-safe and exotic, a showy tropical palm for warm, humid, bright rooms.
Lychee · Litchi chinensis A dense, dome-shaped evergreen bearing clusters of red, knobbly-skinned fruit with sweet, perfumed flesh. Needs warmth, humidity and a cool dry spell to flower well.
Dipladenia · Mandevilla sanderi A glossy-leaved twining climber producing a continuous show of large trumpet flowers in vivid red, pink and white through the warm months. Compact and free-flowering, it is ideal for pots and patio trellises.
Bowen Mango · Mangifera indica 'Kensington Pride' Australia's best-loved mango, with sweet, aromatic, fibre-light golden flesh and a heavy summer crop in warm climates. A large evergreen tree needing full sun, frost-free warmth and good drainage.
Mango · Mangifera indica The taste of a tropical summer — a spreading evergreen laden with fragrant, juicy stone fruit. Needs real warmth and a dry spell to flower and crop reliably.
R2E2 Mango · Mangifera indica 'R2E2' A large, firm, colourful Australian-bred mango with mild sweet flesh and excellent storage and transport quality. A vigorous evergreen tree for warm frost-free districts with full sun and free drainage.
Prayer Plant · Maranta leuconeura Velvety leaves patterned with herringbone veins that fold up like praying hands at night. A charming, pet-safe trailer that loves warmth and humidity.
Rose Grape · Medinilla magnifica A spectacular tropical shrub-like perennial with large leathery leaves and huge pendent panicles of pink flowers shrouded in showy pink bracts. A luxurious feature for warm, humid, shaded positions.
Swiss Cheese Vine · Monstera adansonii A trailing or climbing aroid with smaller leaves riddled with oval holes, giving a delicate lace effect. Lovely spilling from a basket or scrambling up a pole.
Swiss Cheese Plant · Monstera deliciosa The iconic split-leaf houseplant — big, glossy, holey foliage that turns any bright corner into a jungle. Easy-going indoors and dramatic at scale.
Orange Jessamine · Murraya paniculata · from $16.95 A glossy-leaved evergreen famed for flushes of intensely fragrant white flowers resembling orange blossom, followed by red berries. A popular dense hedge in warm-climate gardens, but frost-tender.
Sacred Lotus · Nelumbo nucifera A striking aquatic perennial with large blue-green leaves held high on stems above the water and fragrant pink to white bowl-shaped flowers followed by distinctive seed pods. Best in full sun in warm climates.
Blushing Bromeliad · Neoregelia carolinae A broad rosette of glossy green strap leaves whose centre flushes brilliant crimson as the plant prepares to flower. A reliable, showy bromeliad for shaded patios and tropical gardens.
Fireball Bromeliad · Neoregelia 'Fireball' A small clustering bromeliad whose narrow rosettes blaze deep red in bright light and multiply freely on stolons to form a dense mat. Superb in containers, hanging displays and as a tropical groundcover.
Tropical Pitcher Plant · Nepenthes alata A tropical carnivorous plant whose leaf tips extend into dangling lidded pitchers that fill with fluid to trap insects. Spectacular cascading from a hanging basket in a warm, humid, brightly lit spot.
Boston Fern · Nephrolepis exaltata A classic feathery fern with arching fronds that spill beautifully from a hanging basket. Pet-safe and lush, it thrives with humidity and consistent moisture.
Bird's Nest Bromeliad · Nidularium innocentii A shade-loving rosette of dark, often maroon-backed leaves whose centre forms a nest of bright red bracts cradling white flowers. Excellent groundcover bromeliad for deep shade under trees.
Water Snowflake · Nymphoides indica A dainty floating aquatic with small heart-shaped leaves and frilly white star-flowers fringed with delicate hairs. Quickly covers the surface of warm ponds.
Basil 'Purple' · Ocimum basilicum 'Purple' A striking basil with deep burgundy-purple leaves and a mild, clove-like flavour. As ornamental as it is useful, lovely in salads and for infusing vinegars.
Basil 'Sweet Genovese' · Ocimum basilicum 'Sweet Genovese' The classic Italian basil, with large, fragrant green leaves essential for pesto and pasta. Loves warmth and sun; pinch flowers to keep it leafy and productive.
Basil 'Thai' · Ocimum basilicum 'Thai' An aromatic basil with purple stems, narrow green leaves and a distinctive anise-clove flavour. A staple of South-East Asian cooking that thrives in heat.
Sweet Basil · Ocimum basilicum · from $3.50 The essential summer herb — pinch it often for bushy growth and a steady supply of fragrant leaves. Fast and rewarding from seed in warm weather.
Dancing Lady Orchid · Oncidium hybrid An orchid grown for its airy branched sprays of many small flowers, most often in cheerful yellow and brown, fluttering like dancing ladies. A free-flowering choice for warm, bright positions.
Wonga Wonga Vine 'Snowbells' · Pandorea pandorana 'Snowbells' A vigorous evergreen climber with glossy ferny foliage and masses of fragrant creamy-white tubular bells in spring. A fast, hardy cover for fences, pergolas and screens.
Slipper Orchid · Paphiopedilum hybrid A terrestrial orchid with mottled leaves and a single waxy bloom bearing a distinctive pouched lip in green, mahogany and spotted tones. A long-lasting, shade-loving collector's orchid.
Nellie Kelly Passionfruit · Passiflora edulis 'Nellie Kelly' A popular grafted purple passionfruit on hardy rootstock, vigorous and quick to cover a fence with glossy evergreen leaves and exotic flowers. Crops heavily with tangy aromatic fruit in a warm, sunny, sheltered position.
Panama Red Passionfruit · Passiflora edulis 'Panama Red' A warm-climate passionfruit with large red-purple fruit and sweet, mild, juicy pulp, best suited to subtropical and tropical gardens. A vigorous evergreen climber that needs warmth, sun and a sturdy support.
Purple Fountain Grass · Pennisetum advena 'Rubrum' A showy fountain grass with arching burgundy-purple foliage and soft furry pink-purple flower spikes that nod gracefully. Frost-tender and usually grown as a feature or container highlight.
Nafray Fountain Grass · Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Nafray' An Australian-bred selection of the native swamp foxtail forming neat green clumps topped with fluffy purple-bronze bottlebrush plumes. Tough, low-care and sterile-flowering, making it a safer choice than the weedy species.
Swamp Foxtail · Pennisetum alopecuroides A clumping grass with arching green foliage and showy purplish foxtail plumes in summer and autumn. Self-seeds readily and is regarded as an environmental weed in parts of Australia.
Watermelon Peperomia · Peperomia argyreia Named for its rounded leaves striped silver and green like watermelon rind, on red stems. A pet-safe, compact charmer for bright indirect light.
Emerald Ripple Peperomia · Peperomia caperata A tidy little plant with deeply corrugated, heart-shaped leaves in rich green or burgundy. Pet-safe and compact, topped with slender rat-tail flower spikes.
Baby Rubber Plant · Peperomia obtusifolia A compact, easy-care plant with thick, glossy rounded leaves that store water. Pet-safe and forgiving, it suits small spaces and tabletops.
Avocado · Persea americana A large evergreen carrying buttery, nutrient-rich fruit — but it demands free drainage and hates wet feet. Grafted trees fruit far sooner than seedlings.
Moth Orchid · Phalaenopsis hybrid The classic moth orchid, with broad fleshy leaves and arching sprays of rounded long-lasting blooms in white, pink and many patterns. The most popular indoor orchid, flowering for months on a warm windowsill.
Bean 'Dwarf Snake' · Phaseolus vulgaris 'Dwarf Snake' A compact bush bean bearing long, slender, stringless green pods with no need for staking. Quick from seed and ideal for small gardens and pots.
Dwarf Bean · Phaseolus vulgaris A compact, self-supporting bean that crops heavily over a few weeks — no trellis needed. Sow successively through the warm season for a continuous supply of tender pods.
Pink Princess Philodendron · Philodendron erubescens 'Pink Princess' A sought-after climber prized for dark, near-black leaves splashed with bubblegum-pink variegation. A standout collector's aroid that needs bright indirect light to keep its colour.
Heartleaf Philodendron · Philodendron hederaceum A forgiving trailing vine of soft, heart-shaped green leaves that cascades from shelves or climbs a moss pole. One of the easiest aroids for low light.
Hope Philodendron · Philodendron 'Hope' A robust self-heading philodendron forming a broad mound of large, deeply lobed glossy green leaves. A lush, low-care feature for shaded courtyards and large pots; foliage is toxic to pets if chewed.
Xanadu · Philodendron 'Xanadu' A compact, clumping philodendron with glossy, finger-lobed leaves that holds a tidy mounded shape. A neat, low-fuss feature for pots indoors or shaded patios.
Water Lettuce · Pistia stratiotes A free-floating aquatic forming rosettes of soft, velvety pale-green leaves resembling a floating lettuce. A declared weed in Australia and prohibited in several states.
Elkhorn Fern · Platycerium bifurcatum An epiphytic fern with antler-shaped fronds, usually mounted on a board to hang on a wall. Pet-safe and sculptural, it forms living green art.
Plumbago · Plumbago auriculata A sprawling, scrambling shrub awash with phlox-like sky-blue flower clusters from summer to autumn. Drought-hardy and butterfly-friendly, it makes a soft informal hedge or bank cover in warm climates.
Singapore Frangipani · Plumeria obtusa A near-evergreen frangipani with glossy rounded leaves and clusters of highly fragrant white flowers with yellow centres over a long warm season. A lush feature for frost-free gardens; toxic to pets.
Frangipani · Plumeria rubra A sculptural deciduous tropical tree with thick branches and clusters of intensely fragrant waxy flowers in pink, red, white and yellow through summer. A beloved feature; all parts are toxic to pets.
Scarlet Sage · Salvia splendens Blazing spikes of scarlet bracts make this a bold bedding annual that nectar-feeding birds visit. Quick from seed and reliable for hot, sunny summer colour.
Satin Pothos · Scindapsus pictus A handsome trailing aroid with matte, heart-shaped leaves dusted in silvery markings. Easy and elegant cascading from a shelf or hanging basket.
Tomato 'KY1' · Solanum lycopersicum 'KY1' An Australian-bred favourite valued for disease tolerance and heavy crops of medium-large red fruit. A solid, reliable choice for warm and humid gardens.
Tomato 'Sweet 100' · Solanum lycopersicum 'Sweet 100' An exuberant cherry tomato bearing long trusses of intensely sweet, bite-sized red fruit. Indeterminate and astonishingly productive, perfect for snacking and pots.
Tomato 'Tommy Toe' · Solanum lycopersicum 'Tommy Toe' A vigorous, disease-resistant heirloom that crops heavily with cherry-sized, tangy-sweet fruit. One of the most dependable tomatoes for humid and difficult climates.
Eggplant · Solanum melongena Plump, glossy fruit in deep purple, white or striped, hanging from a sturdy, heat-loving bush. Needs a long warm season, so raise seedlings early indoors.
Eggplant 'Black Beauty' · Solanum melongena 'Black Beauty' The classic eggplant, with large, glossy, deep-purple fruit on a sturdy bush. Needs a long, hot season and is best raised in trays before transplanting.
Peace Lily · Spathiphyllum wallisii A reliable low-light favourite with lush dark foliage and elegant white spathe flowers. It dramatically droops when thirsty, making watering needs easy to read.
Firewheel Tree · Stenocarpus sinuatus A handsome rainforest tree with glossy lobed leaves and extraordinary spoke-like wheels of scarlet-and-gold flowers in autumn. A spectacular bird-attracting feature tree.
Madagascar Jasmine · Stephanotis floribunda A tender evergreen twiner with thick waxy leaves and clusters of pure white, powerfully fragrant tubular flowers prized in bridal bouquets. It needs warmth, humidity and a sheltered, frost-free spot.
Stevia · Stevia rebaudiana Leaves intensely sweeter than sugar yet with no kilojoules — a natural sweetener for teas and drinks. A frost-tender perennial best treated as an annual in cool gardens.
Giant Bird of Paradise · Strelitzia nicolai A towering tropical with huge, paddle-shaped banana-like leaves that fill a bright room. The quintessential statement plant for a sunny indoor corner.
Triostar Stromanthe · Stromanthe thalia 'Triostar' Bold leaves streaked cream, green and pink with vivid magenta undersides that flash when they move. A dramatic, pet-safe statement plant that craves humidity.
Arrowhead Vine · Syngonium podophyllum A versatile climber or trailer with arrow-shaped leaves in green, cream and pink shades. Quick-growing and adaptable, easily kept bushy with a trim.
Resilience Lilly Pilly · Syzygium australe 'Resilience' A psyllid-resistant lilly pilly selection with dense glossy foliage, bronze new growth and white flowers followed by red berries. An excellent low-care hedge and screen.
Dwarf Lilly Pilly · Syzygium smithii 'Minor' A compact lilly pilly with flushes of coppery new growth, fluffy white flowers and edible mauve berries. A versatile, hardy hedge and screen for most gardens.
French Marigold · Tagetes patula Cheery, pungent-leaved marigolds that flower for months and are a classic companion plant in the vegie patch. Quick and foolproof from seed, thriving in heat.
Fraser Island Creeper · Tecomanthe hillii A handsome Australian native rainforest climber with glossy foliage and showy clusters of rosy-pink trumpet flowers in spring. A choice, frost-tender vine for sheltered subtropical gardens.
Warrigal Greens · Tetragonia tetragonioides A hardy Australian native bush food that sprawls into a heat- and salt-tolerant spinach substitute when English spinach has bolted. Blanch the leaves before eating to remove oxalates.
Tree Philodendron · Thaumatophyllum bipinnatifidum A bold South American aroid with huge, deeply lobed leaves that form a lush rosette. A dramatic floor specimen for a bright indoor corner.
Black-eyed Susan Vine · Thunbergia alata A cheerful, fast twining climber covered in bright orange, yellow or cream flowers each with a dark chocolate eye through the warmer months. Quick to cover a trellis but can self-seed readily.
Blue Trumpet Vine · Thunbergia grandiflora A rampant, large-leaved evergreen climber hung with pendulous clusters of pale blue to mauve trumpet flowers. Spectacular over big pergolas in the tropics, but a serious environmental weed in warm regions.
Lasiandra · Tibouchina lepidota 'Alstonville' A showstopping large shrub that smothers itself in vivid royal-purple flowers in autumn above velvety ribbed leaves. A favourite warm-climate feature; frost-tender and acid-loving.
Pink Quill · Tillandsia cyanea An air plant with a fountain of grassy leaves and a flat pink quill of bracts that opens a succession of vivid violet-blue flowers. Easily grown in a pot of bark or mounted as a feature.
Sky Plant · Tillandsia ionantha A tiny rootless air plant that absorbs moisture through silvery scaled leaves, blushing red and producing violet flowers at bloom time. Mounts on bark, shells or driftwood needing no soil at all.
Wandering Jew · Tradescantia zebrina A fast trailing plant with shimmering leaves striped silver and purple above, vivid purple below. Easy and vigorous, it cascades brilliantly from a hanging basket.
Cumbungi · Typha orientalis A vigorous native marginal reed with strappy upright leaves and the familiar brown cigar-shaped seed heads. Spreads strongly, so best confined to large dams and natural wetlands.
Vanda Orchid · Vanda hybrid A bold tropical orchid grown in open baskets with bare aerial roots, bearing large flat flowers in striking blues, pinks and tessellated patterns. A spectacular warm-climate orchid for hanging displays.
Sweet Viburnum · Viburnum odoratissimum 'Dense Fence' A vigorous large-leaved viburnum selected for upright, dense growth that makes a fast tall privacy hedge. Lightly fragrant white flower clusters appear in warm weather above lush green foliage.
Flaming Sword · Vriesea splendens A neat rosette of dark green leaves cross-banded in purple-brown, sending up a flattened sword of vivid red bracts with yellow flowers. A bold foliage-and-flower feature for warm, shaded positions.
Cardboard Palm · Zamia furfuracea A compact cycad with low spreading fronds of thick, fuzzy, cardboard-textured leaflets radiating from a short trunk. A tough, drought-hardy feature for pots and coastal gardens; toxic to pets if eaten.
ZZ Plant · Zamioculcas zamiifolia Glossy, architectural and nearly unkillable — the ZZ stores water in fat rhizomes and shrugs off dark corners and missed waterings. The ultimate low-care statement plant.
Sweet Corn · Zea mays Nothing beats a cob picked and cooked within the hour, while the sugars are still high. Sow in a block rather than a row so the wind can pollinate every plant.
Sweet Corn 'Balinese' · Zea mays 'Balinese' A vigorous, heat-loving heirloom corn well suited to warm and humid climates, with sweet, full cobs. Sow in a block for reliable wind pollination.
Sweet Corn 'Honey Sweet' · Zea mays 'Honey Sweet' A tender, super-sweet yellow corn best eaten fresh off the cob. Sow in a block, not a row, for good wind pollination and well-filled cobs.
Zinnia · Zinnia elegans Vibrant, long-stemmed daisies in hot colours that bloom relentlessly through summer heat. The more you cut, the more they flower; a butterfly magnet and cutting-garden staple.