South East Queensland (SEQ) native plants are built for our sunshine, summer storms and soils. Once the plants are established, they reward you with beautiful colours and attract wildlife, without demanding constant attention.
Here’s why you should consider adding gorgeous native plants to your SEQ garden.
What are Australian native plants?
Native plants are species that naturally evolved in Australia over thousands of years, long before lawns and imported ornamentals arrived on our shores.
They’re naturally suited to our heat, drought periods, local soils, coastal conditions and native wildlife – making them far less demanding than any exotic alternatives.
Why our plants thrive on the Sunshine Coast
The SEQ climate hits your garden with long hot summer days, sudden downpours, and high humidity (sometimes all in the same 24 hours!).
Our range of native flowers/flowering plants are:
- Sun tolerant
- Water-wise
- Hardy
- Low maintenance
Top 5 most popular native plants at STEPS Garden Centre
Check out our five most popular varieties, all well-suited to Sunshine Coast conditions. We also have a wide range of native plants, flowers, and trees available in-store. We encourage you to visit us or ask our team about any particular plants you’re looking for.
Grevillea
Hardy, quick to grow, and a favourite for local birds. Grevilleas produce distinctive spider-like flowers and attract lorikeets and honeyeaters. Many colours and varieties are available to suit any garden size and style.
Bottlebrush (Callistemon)
Instantly recognisable and bird-friendly, Callistemons are iconic native flowers. Bottlebrush produces bright red, pink, mauve, white or cream flowers and reliably tolerates our SEQ heat and coastal conditions.
Tea Tree (Leptospermum)
Loved for their masses of delicate flowers, aromatic foliage and ability to thrive in tough conditions. Their white, pink, red and purple flowers attract bees and other beneficial pollinators while adding soft texture and colour to gardens.
Banksia
A true showstopper. Banksia’s unique flower cones and textured foliage attract and support plenty of local wildlife, and its long-lasting blooms will keep your garden looking bright for months.
Coastal Rosemary (Westringia fruticosa)
Neat, compact and incredibly versatile. Westringia makes an excellent hedge, handles drought and salt with ease, and is one of our most popular low-maintenance options.
Not sure which variety is right for you? Our team is happy to help you find the perfect fit for your garden.
Other native plants we stock:
- Bush tucker
- Syzygium (Lilly Pilly)
- Metrosideros
- Xanthostemon (Penda)
- Backhousia (Myrtle)
- Acacia (Wattle)
- Casuarina
- Lomandra
Shop with STEPS Garden Centre
STEPS Garden Centre is located in the heart of Caloundra on Ulm Street South near George Street.
There’s plenty of free parking on Ulm Street South right outside the nursery and easy, direct access to all of your gardening needs.
We’re open seven days a week, 8:30am to 4:30pm (excluding public holidays).
Get in touch
For further information, reach out to our friendly team!
07 5436 6023
gardencentre@stepsgroup.com.au
We can help bring your purchases directly to your boot. STEPS Garden Centre is a beautiful outdoor nursery with undercover areas and shaded greenhouses, so you can browse in any weather.
Growing a brighter future
We are a not-for-profit nursery in the heart of Caloundra supporting STEPS Pathways College, the first and only boarding college of its kind in Australia.
Every plant purchased helps provide transformative independence education for young adults with a disability and autism.
