Plants for Subtropical Climates

Choose for humidity first, speed second

The plants that fail in this zone are rarely killed by heat. They rot in humid summers or mildew through a wet autumn, which is why humidity tolerance sits on more than 800 of the plants here. Once that box is ticked, speed becomes the real decision. Lilly Pilly 'Resilience' planted at 1m spacings closes into a screen within two to three seasons and is psyllid resistant, but like every fast grower it asks for a trim or two a year to stay at 2m to 3m. Murraya does the same job with orange blossom fragrance, though its berries spread by birds and it has become weedy in parts of coastal Queensland, so deadhead after flowering near bushland.

Watch roots on the big features. Jacarandas run vigorous surface roots that lift paving, so give them lawn to themselves, while a foxtail palm or an ivory curl tree keeps its roots well behaved near paths and pools.

Where subtropical plants thrive

This range suits Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast, Bundaberg, and the New South Wales coast from Tweed Heads down past Coffs Harbour, frost free or close to it, with hot wet summers and mild dry winters. Most of it also grows happily in Sydney and other warm temperate coastal gardens, and nearly 900 of these plants carry a tropical rating too. The caution zone is the inland fringe. Western suburbs and valley floors from Ipswich outward see light frosts, and over 600 plants here are rated for light frost only, so check the tolerance listing before planting frost tender features like tibouchina or giant bird of paradise in a cold hollow.

Planting and spacing

Autumn through spring is the ideal window, giving roots two mild seasons before the first wet summer. Dig twice the pot width, plant at the original soil level, water in deeply and mulch 75mm, clear of the stems.

• Screens. Lilly Pilly 'Resilience' and murraya at 1m apart; lemon scented myrtle at 1.5m; weeping lilly pilly at 1.5m where you want an eventual 10m windbreak.
• Tropical looks. Giant white bird of paradise at 2m centres, Philodendron 'Xanadu' at 1m for understorey mass planting.
• Flowering features. Tibouchina 'Alstonville' at 2m for a screen that turns purple in autumn; ivory curl trees at 3m for an avenue.
• Groundcover. No mow grass at 30cm centres knits into a soft green mat.

Care through a wet summer

Feed twice, in early spring and late summer, using a low phosphorus fertiliser for the natives. Water new plantings deeply twice a week for their first summer; established subtropical gardens mostly live on rainfall. The wet season brings the real work: renew mulch before storms, prune flowering shrubs as soon as they finish rather than in autumn, and improve airflow around gardenias and hedges to keep fungal spots down. If a January deluge leaves beds waterlogged for days, that corner belongs to wet feet tolerant plants like the weeping lilly pilly. Our lilly pilly care guide covers hedge feeding and pruning timing in detail.

Common questions

What grows fastest for privacy in Brisbane?

Lilly Pilly 'Resilience' at 1m spacings gives meaningful cover in 18 months and a solid 2m to 3m hedge by year three. For a taller screen, weeping lilly pilly reaches about 10m in time, and the full lilly pilly range includes narrow forms for side passages.

Can I grow citrus in this climate?

Very well. The subtropical coast is prime citrus country: the Eureka lemon fruits close to year round here, and the citrus tree range covers limes, oranges and mandarins. Full sun, good drainage and a feed each season are the whole recipe.

Which of these plants handle light frost?

More than 600 are rated for light frost, including lilly pillies, murraya and lemon scented myrtle, which makes them safe for the inland fringe. Truly frost tender choices like tibouchina, foxtail palms and giant bird of paradise belong on the coast or in warm pockets near the house.

What suits pool surrounds?

Foxtail palms and ivory curl trees for height, giant white bird of paradise for drama and no mow grass between pavers, all with root systems that behave near pool shells. The palm collection holds more poolside options.

How does delivery work?

Everything here is delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95 and no minimum order. Advanced and large stock is freighted at cost, and every plant carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.