Australian Native Flowers: 35 Iconic Species, Names and Growing Tips

Australia’s flowering plants are among the most distinctive on Earth. Isolated for millions of years, the continent developed an extraordinary flora found almost nowhere else — the flora of Australia includes roughly 20,000 native vascular plant species, about 85 per cent of them endemic.

These blooms evolved for poor, dry soils, hot sun and pollinators such as honeyeaters and native bees. This guide covers 35 iconic Australian native flowers, with scientific names, colours, bloom seasons, the official floral emblems, and practical growing tips.

Quick Answer

The most famous Australian native flowers are the golden wattle, Australia’s national flower, along with kangaroo paw, waratah, banksia, bottlebrush, Sturt’s desert pea, the Cooktown orchid and the flannel flower. Most are hardy, sun-loving and drought-tolerant once established.

Table of Contents

• Australia’s Floral Emblems
• 35 Australian Native Flowers
• 23 More Native Flowers at a Glance
• How to Grow Australian Native Flowers
• Frequently Asked Questions

Australia’s Floral Emblems

Every state and territory has an official floral emblem, and Australia has a national flower. Learn these nine first:

Region	Floral Emblem	Scientific Name
Australia (national)	Golden Wattle	Acacia pycnantha
New South Wales	Waratah	Telopea speciosissima
Victoria	Pink Heath	Epacris impressa
Queensland	Cooktown Orchid	Dendrobium bigibbum
South Australia	Sturt’s Desert Pea	Swainsona formosa
Australian Capital Territory	Royal Bluebell	Wahlenbergia gloriosa
Western Australia	Mangles Kangaroo Paw	Anigozanthos manglesii
Tasmania	Tasmanian Blue Gum	Eucalyptus globulus
Northern Territory	Sturt’s Desert Rose	Gossypium sturtianum

Waratah, banksia and bottlebrush also make superb cut flowers — simple habits help you make cut flowers last longer in the vase.

35 Australian Native Flowers

Twelve best-known species in detail, then 23 more at a glance — 35 in total, in flower across the whole year.

1. Kangaroo Paw (Anigozanthos manglesii)

Velvety, paw-shaped flowers make kangaroo paw one of Australia’s most recognisable garden plants. The red-and-green Mangles form is Western Australia’s emblem; cultivars add yellow, orange and pink, flowering late spring to summer. Grow in full sun and very free-draining soil. Its sculptural blooms belong among the unusual blooms that make you look twice.

2. Waratah (Telopea speciosissima)

New South Wales’ emblem bears a spectacular spring dome of crimson florets, up to 15 cm across, above leathery leaves on the east coast. It needs excellent drainage, shelter from hard frost, and pruning after flowering. Few natives reward gardeners who love red flowers for bold garden colour quite like it.

3. Banksia (Banksia spinulosa)

Banksias carry bold cylindrical spikes in gold, orange, red or cream, rich in nectar for honeyeaters. Hairpin banksia suits gardens across the east and south, flowering mainly autumn to spring. Plant in full sun, avoid phosphorus-rich fertiliser, and enjoy the sculptural cones left behind.

4. Bottlebrush (Callistemon citrinus)

Its spikes of bright red stamens look exactly like a bottle brush. Now classified with the melaleucas, these tough, bird-attracting shrubs flower in spring and often again in autumn. They tolerate heavier soils than most natives, given full sun and a prune behind spent flowers.

5. Golden Wattle (Acacia pycnantha)

Australia’s national flower covers itself in fluffy, golden, sweetly scented balls in late winter and spring — the source of the national green and gold. A fast-growing small tree from the south-east, it suits new gardens. Plant its perfume alongside other fragrant flowers near paths, in full sun with good drainage.

6. Grevillea (Grevillea banksii)

Grevilleas bring spider-like or toothbrush flowers in red, pink, orange, cream and yellow, adored by honeyeaters. Red silky oak flowers much of the year in warm climates; smaller cultivars suit pots. Plant in full sun, prune lightly and often, and use only low-phosphorus native fertiliser.

7. Sturt’s Desert Pea (Swainsona formosa)

South Australia’s emblem is one of the world’s most striking wildflowers: blood-red pea blooms with a glossy black centre, sprawling over red desert sand after rain, mainly in spring and summer. Grow it as a short-lived annual in a raised bed or pot of gritty mix, in full sun.

8. Flannel Flower (Actinotus helianthi)

Creamy-white bracts covered in soft, woolly hairs give this flower the feel of flannel cloth. It grows on sandstone around Sydney, flowering in spring and summer, often prolifically after fire. Give it sandy, sharply drained soil, full sun and dry winter feet.

9. Cooktown Orchid (Dendrobium bigibbum)

Queensland’s emblem is a tropical epiphyte from the far north, growing on trees and rocks and bearing sprays of mauve-purple flowers in the dry season, autumn to spring. Outside the tropics, grow it in open orchid bark, bright and frost-free, watered well in summer.

10. Billy Buttons (Craspedia globosa)

Cheerful golden drumsticks on long, leafless stems above silvery foliage. Native to south-eastern and Tasmanian grasslands, billy buttons flower spring to summer and dry beautifully for arrangements. Grow as easy annuals or short-lived perennials from seed, in full sun.

11. Royal Bluebell (Wahlenbergia gloriosa)

The ACT’s emblem is a delicate alpine perennial with deep violet-blue bells on slender stems, in subalpine grasslands of the ACT, Victoria and southern New South Wales. It flowers late spring to summer and suits rockeries and pots in moist, well-drained soil.

12. Hakea (Hakea laurina)

Pincushion hakea, from south-western Western Australia, bears round crimson heads studded with cream styles from autumn into winter — rich nectar for birds on a small tree to 5 metres. It demands sharp drainage and full sun, and must never get high-phosphorus fertiliser.

23 More Native Flowers at a Glance

Flower	Scientific Name	Flower Colour	Bloom Season
Australian Daisy	Brachyscome iberidifolia	Blue/violet/white/pink	Spring–summer
Christmas Bells	Blandfordia grandiflora	Red/orange/yellow	Late spring–summer
Geraldton Wax	Chamelaucium uncinatum	Pink/white/mauve	Winter–spring
Pink Heath	Epacris impressa	Pink/white/red	Winter–spring
Tasmanian Blue Gum	Eucalyptus globulus	White/cream	Spring–summer
Sturt’s Desert Rose	Gossypium sturtianum	Lilac/purple	All year, peak winter–spring
Everlasting Daisy	Xerochrysum bracteatum	Yellow/orange/pink/white	Spring–autumn
Native Violet	Viola hederacea	Purple/white	Spring–autumn
Woolly Bush	Adenanthos sericeus	Red	All year
Rice Flower	Ozothamnus diosmifolius	White/pink	Spring
Fairy Fan Flower	Scaevola aemula	Purple/blue/white	Spring–autumn
Blue Lechenaultia	Lechenaultia biloba	Blue	Winter–spring
Feather Flower	Verticordia plumosa	Pink	Spring–summer
Crimson Kunzea	Kunzea baxteri	Red	Winter–spring
Mountain Devil	Lambertia formosa	Red/orange	All year
Sydney Boronia	Boronia ledifolia	Pink	Winter–spring
Grass Tree	Xanthorrhoea johnsonii	Cream	Winter–spring
Purple Coral Pea	Hardenbergia violacea	Purple	Winter–spring
Golden Guinea Flower	Hibbertia scandens	Yellow	Spring–summer
Coastal Rosemary	Westringia fruticosa	White/mauve	All year
Pigface (Karkalla)	Carpobrotus rossii	Purple/pink/yellow	Spring–summer
Silver Princess	Eucalyptus caesia	Red-pink	Winter–spring
Lemon Myrtle	Backhousia citriodora	White/cream	Summer

How to Grow Australian Native Flowers

Start with drainage: wet, heavy soil kills more natives than anything else. Plant into free-draining soil, mound beds on clay, or use pots with native potting mix.

• Sun: At least six hours of direct sun for most; light shade suits royal bluebell, native violet and Cooktown orchid.
• Feeding: Use low-phosphorus native fertiliser only — ordinary feeds can kill banksias, hakeas and grevilleas.
• Water: Water deeply through the first summer, then ease off; most are drought-tolerant once established.
• Mulch and pruning: Mulch with gravel or coarse organic mulch, clear of stems, and prune lightly after flowering.

Local advice matters — a kangaroo paw thriving in Perth may sulk in humid Brisbane. Native plant communities such as r/AustralianPlants on Reddit show what growers in your climate succeed with.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Australia’s national flower?

The golden wattle, Acacia pycnantha, proclaimed in 1988. Its blooms and foliage gave Australia its green and gold colours; Wattle Day is 1 September.

What is the most famous Australian native flower?

The waratah and kangaroo paw are the most recognised internationally; the golden wattle is the most symbolic at home, with banksia and bottlebrush close behind.

Are Australian native flowers easy to grow?

Most are, if matched to your soil and climate, with drainage, sun and low-phosphorus native fertiliser. Waratah and flannel flower are fussier, but rewarding.

When do Australian native flowers bloom?

Something native flowers every month. Many species peak in spring, but banksias, hakeas and many grevilleas bloom through autumn and winter.

Can you grow Australian native flowers outside Australia?

Yes — kangaroo paw, bottlebrush and grevillea thrive in Mediterranean-climate and mild coastal gardens in California, South Africa and southern Europe; use pots where winters are wet or frosty. Gardeners also discuss regional results in Q&A forums — see questions about Australian native flowers on Quora.