5 native plants you should be growing at home

ARTICLE

25 January 2022

4 mins read

Wellness

From supporting local fauna to adding a splash of colour to your garden, there are a tonne of great reasons to grow Aussie natives in your garden.

Apart from their vivid colours and hardy nature, native plants increase biodiversity and reduce invasion by non-native species. They also play a large role in the conservation of native pollinators, as well as small native mammals and birds at risk of being classified as endangered.

Most native plants prefer well-drained soils and are generally best planted in autumn, but certain plants may have different preferences for irrigation or sunlight, so it's best to double-check online before planting. If you're interested in adding some natives to your garden, we've compiled a list of five readily available plants to get you started – both seeds and plants can usually be found at your local nursery or gardening stores.

Native mint

There are 25 species of mint distributed throughout the world, and six are endemic to Australia. Native mint, also known as Mentha diemenica, wild mint, slender mint or river mint, occurs in grassland and forest habitats throughout the southeast coast of Australia, as well as Tasmania.

Native mint forms a dense ground cover and can grow up to 10-15 cm high. The plant is identifiable by its four small lilac or mauve petals and its fragrant leaves, which can be used interchangeably with common mint in food and drink (try it as a water infusion). Leaves can be harvested once they're fully formed.

You can easily grow a new plant from cuttings taken from a healthy plant, or by root division when transplanting. Native mint prefers a slightly damp environment and grows well in full sun or shaded environments.

Native ginger

Australian native ginger, also known as wild ginger or blue ginger, is an easy-to-grow plant that doubles as a bushfood. The plant grows from an underground rhizome and can grow up to two metres tall. Native ginger is a relative of edible ginger, cardamom and turmeric, and its signature traits are its wide, glossy leaves coupled with bright blue berries.

The young shoots growing underground (rhizomes) are the parts that taste the sweetest, but all of the plant is edible. The young leaf shoots and berries have a mild ginger taste to them and can be eaten fresh straight from the plant. You can also use the rhizomes as a ginger substitute, although they have a milder and less spicy taste. Try using them in your curries, stir fries and soups. Plus, native ginger is also high in vitamin B and minerals, so it's good for your health too.

Native ginger is a rainforest plant and thrives in a moist and shaded area, making it a great plant to grow indoors. The plant is also easily propagated by dividing its underground stem – making it a perfect gift for your friends and family.

Davidson's plum

Davidson's plum is a small and slender tree endemic to the rainforests of northeast New South Wales. It can grow up to 5–10m high and has long, smooth leaves with red and purple flowers.

The tree bears purple fruit with a sour, tangy flavour – these are grown in clusters straight on the trunk. While fruits are available fresh in summer, they're not typically eaten fresh due to their taste, but rather used in jams, sauces and drinks.

There are three species of Davidson's plum, and each can be grown easily both indoors and outdoors with full or part sun.

Lemon myrtle

Lemon myrtle is one of Australia's most popular native herbs and is widely used in many dishes. The plant has glossy, oval leaves, cream-coloured flowers and can grow up to 3–8m tall in rainforest conditions.

The leaves are the most commonly used part of the plant and can simply be plucked when needed. Lemon myrtle plants prefer a warm or slightly shaded spot and must be well-watered throughout the year for best results.

While lemon myrtle can be grown as a shade tree or large shrub, you can limit its size by using a smaller pot – handy if you want to grow one indoors.

Finger lime

The Australian finger lime is a highly sought-after ingredient from chefs worldwide. It's a thorny tree that grows up to six metres and often provides a perfect habitat for small birds. The finger lime is found in the rainforests of southeast Queensland and northeast New South Wales, but can also be grown elsewhere in Australia.

The finger lime's name stems from the plant's fruit, which roughly resembles a finger-length dark oval fruit with caviar-like granular flesh. You can use the fruit as a lemon substitute in a variety of dishes ranging from chicken wings to pavlova.

The finger lime plant can be planted at any time during the year – but grows best under full sun. It usually flowers between March and July, and can be harvested from November to March.

Staff Writer

Staff writers come from a range of backgrounds including health, wellbeing, music, tech, culture and the arts. They spend their time researching the latest data and trends in the health market to deliver up-to-date information, helping everyday Australians live healthier lives. This is general information only and is not intended as medical, health, nutritional or other advice. You should obtain professional advice from a medical or health practitioner in relation to your own personal circumstances. The information in this article is general information only and is not intended as medical, health, nutritional or other advice. You should obtain professional advice from a medical or health practitioner in relation to your own personal circumstance

Disclaimer:
This is general information only and is not intended as financial, medical, health, nutritional or other advice. You should obtain professional advice from a financial adviser, or medical or health practitioner in relation to your own personal circumstances.

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