12 plants to avoid in your Australian garden (and what to plant instead)
Stroll through almost any Australian suburb and you’ll see familiar favourites — agapanthus along driveways, ivy climbing fences, or oleanders used as hedges. For decades, nurseries and landscapers promoted these plants as cheap, tough and fashionable. Many of us inherited them with our homes, or planted them ourselves because they were everywhere in garden centres (and sadly, still are).
The trouble is, some of these species come with hidden costs. They spread aggressively, displace native habitat and often provide little or no benefit to local wildlife. Worse still, once established, they can be extremely hard to control and in some cases, impossible to eradicate.
The good news? There are beautiful, low-maintenance alternatives that thrive without harming the environment. Here are six plants to avoid in your Australian garden — and what you can grow instead.
1. Agapanthus (Agapanthus praecox)
Why it’s a problem: Agapanthus spreads by seed and tough clumping roots, which can crowd out native species. Once mature, the root systems are almost impossible to dig out. Even conservatively, one clump could release hundreds of thousands of seeds every summer — and many spread by wind, water, or birds.
Why it’s common: From the 1970s onward, agapanthus was marketed as the ultimate “low-maintenance border plant.” Its toughness made it an easy sell for home gardeners and landscapers. It's now widespread across Australia.
Plant instead: Kangaroo Paw (Anigozanthos) — bold, bird-attracting flowers, iconic form, and a truly Australian choice.
2. Gazania (Gazania rigens var. rigens)
Why it’s a problem: Gazanias form dense mats of foliage and spread aggressively through both seed and runners. Along coastal dunes and roadsides, they quickly overwhelm fragile native vegetation and are extremely difficult to remove once established.
Why it’s common: Sold as “tough, drought-tolerant groundcovers,” gazanias were used widely in both public landscaping and home gardens. Their cheerful flowers made them popular in nursery displays, especially for coastal homes.
Plant instead: Native Paper Daisy (Xerochrysum bracteatum) or Cut-leaf Daisy (Brachyscome) — equally colourful, pollinator-friendly and much better behaved.
3. Lantana (Lantana camara)
Why it’s a problem: Lantana is one of Australia’s worst invasive weeds. It forms dense thickets that smother native habitat and is toxic to livestock and pets. Once it takes hold, it’s notoriously difficult to eradicate.
Why it’s common: Its vibrant flowers and fast growth once made it a fashionable choice for hedging and colour.
Plant instead: Native Fuchsia (Correa alba) — a compact, hardy shrub with nectar-rich flowers that attract birds and insects.
4. Privet (Ligustrum species)
Why it’s a problem: Privet produces berries spread by birds, leading to invasive seedlings. It’s also a well-known trigger for hay fever and asthma.
Why it’s common: For generations, privet was the go-to choice for privacy hedges. Many older gardens still contain established privet walls.
Plant instead: Lilly Pilly (Syzygium australe) — a dense, evergreen hedge with glossy foliage and edible berries. Just be sure to go for a cultivar that is resistant to psyllids.
5. English Ivy (Hedera helix)
Why it’s a problem: Ivy climbs and smothers everything in its path. It weakens trees, damages brickwork, and is notoriously hard to control.
Why it’s common: Ivy was marketed as romantic “European” greenery, often used to soften courtyards and walls.
Plant instead: Native Hardenbergia (Hardenbergia violacea) — also known as “Happy Wanderer,” this vigorous native climber produces cascades of purple flowers without strangling its host.
6. Oleander (Nerium oleander)
Why it’s a problem: Oleander’s evergreen foliage and bright flowers hide its dangers: the plant is highly toxic to humans and pets. Ingestion of even small amounts can be fatal.
Why it’s common: Its fast growth and drought tolerance once made it a popular choice for hedging and roadside planting.
Plant instead: Bottlebrush (Callistemon species) — hardy, colourful, and beloved by nectar-feeding birds.
7. Ornamental Pears (Pyrus calleryana)
Why it’s a problem: Ornamental pears look tidy when young, but many varieties become invasive as they mature. They sucker aggressively, seed heavily and spread into bushland, stormwater corridors and suburban reserves. They also grow taller than expected, cast dense shade and develop brittle branches.
Why it’s common: Developers used them extensively because they grow fast, tolerate poor soil and create a neat, upright silhouette. Their long-term problems only became obvious once they were already widespread.
Plant instead: Dwarf Flowering Gums (Corymbia ficifolia grafted forms) — compact, colourful, bird-attracting native trees that thrive in suburban settings without the invasiveness or size creep.
8. Yuccas & Agaves (Yucca elephantipes & Agave americana)
Why they’re a problem: Their sharp, rigid leaf tips can be hazardous, they outgrow small spaces, and mature clumps are extremely difficult (and painful) to remove. They also provide little ecological benefit.
Why they’re common: They were promoted heavily as drought-proof “modern” plants in the 2000s, so they ended up in many new developments and front gardens.
Plant instead: Grass Trees (Xanthorrhoea spp.) — sculptural, iconic and softer in form. They offer habitat value and integrate beautifully into modern Australian gardens.
9. English Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
Why it’s a problem: Lavender struggles in many Australian climates, especially humid or wet summers. It becomes woody, sparse and short-lived without constant pruning.
Why it’s common: Its scent, cottage-garden appeal and European aesthetic made it a popular “easy” plant, even though it’s not suited to many regions.
Plant instead: Prostanthera ovalifolia ‘Brundah Candy’ — a vibrant native mint bush with aromatic foliage, rich purple flowers and greater resilience in Australian soils. A beautiful, dependable alternative that still feels cottage-inspired.
10. Cootamundra Wattle (Acacia baileyana)
Why it’s a problem: Although beautiful when flowering, Cootamundra Wattle is one of the most invasive wattles in Australia. Outside its small natural range in NSW, it escapes cultivation easily, spreads aggressively through seed and hybridises with local Acacia species — weakening natural ecosystems. It grows fast, collapses suddenly when old, and is a major contributor to bushland weed loads across the country.
Why it’s common: For years it was promoted as a “quick native screen,” making it a popular choice in suburban gardens. Its bright yellow blooms and fast growth made it feel like an easy win, long before its ecological impacts were understood.
Plant instead: Native Frangipani (Hymenosporum flavum) — a compact, fragrance-filled small tree that offers height, structure and beautiful seasonal flowers without the invasive risk. Ideal for suburban gardens looking for a soft, elegant native substitute.
11. Mondo Grass (Ophiopogon japonicus)
Why it’s a problem: Mondo grass fills in slowly, isn’t drought-adapted and offers little ecological value. It can look patchy in summer and doesn’t always thrive in heat.
Why it’s common:
It became a default border plant in landscape design during the 2000s thanks to its neat, uniform appearance — even where it performs poorly.
Plant instead: Dwarf Lomandra (e.g. ‘Little Con’, ‘Little Pal’, ‘Tanika’). These hardy native grasses create the same tidy, arching mounds but are far tougher, longer-lived and better suited to Australian gardens. Excellent for edges, mass planting and modern garden design.
12. Impatiens / Busy Lizzies (Impatiens walleriana)
Why it’s a problem: Impatiens collapse in heat, suffer fungal issues and need regular water. They’re short-lived and contribute little long-term structure to a garden.
Why they’re common: Bright colours and low upfront cost made them popular filler plants for shade gardens and older-style bedding schemes.
Plant instead: Paper Daisies (Xerochrysum bracteatum) — colourful, long-flowering, heat-tolerant and pollinator-friendly. These Australian natives bring lasting brightness without the disease issues.
Times Are Changing in Our Gardens
More and more gardeners are seeking out local, native species — plants that work with our soils and climate rather than against them. These species not only cope better with droughts, floods, and heatwaves, but they also help re-establish the ecosystems that should be here: feeding pollinators, sheltering birds and restoring balance to our backyards.
Choosing native alternatives over exotics or invasive species isn’t about missing out or being limited. It’s about creating gardens that are resilient, purposeful and connected to place. By moving with this trend, we’re not just following fashion — we’re gardening for the future.
If you’d like to keep exploring, check out:
- 11 Native Australian Plants for Ponds & Shady, Wet Areas
- 12 Australian Plants for Extreme Heat
- DIY Fertilisers Safe for Native Plants
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