Green roofs are only as good as the plants used in it. Unplanned excessive irrigation, dry out, poor water PH, disease and pest pressures and other concerns can lead to plant problems. Don’t risk it, use more resilient green wall plants that are proven performers. Listed below are the top 10 plants we recommend for green roofs in 2020 for each state based on research conducted by Ozbreed in 2018-2019, the University of Western Sydney and a USA Texas study. These results point to many of our natives performing well, providing designers with more variety for green roofs. To read the full research paper Click Here.
| Plant Name | Information |
| Shara™ Lomandra fluvialtilis ‘ABU7’ PBR | A tough fine leaf compact form with blue grey tones and masses of yellow flowers that sit above the foliage. Tolerates humid climates and heavy soils. |
| Themeda australis ‘Mingo’ PBR | A blue prostrate form of Kangaroo grass with blue foliage with rusty red/brown seed heads over summer. |
| Mundi™ Westringia fruticosa ‘WES05’ PBR | A beautiful ground cover that if left unpruned will still retain a tidy form, Low growing plant that produces masses of white flowers. |
| Yareena™ Myoporum parvifolium ‘PARV01’ PBR | It is a longer lived form with crisp clean foliage and masses of white flowers. |
| Tanika® Lomandra longifolia ‘LM300’ PBR | Has been performing in landscapes across Australia for over a decade. It is soft to touch, evergreen, with a compact fine leaf form. |
| Double Gold™ Gazania hybrid ‘GT20’ PBR | Speading ground cover with clean foliage and beautiful yellow flowers that appear for most of the year. It is sterile so will not produce any seed. |
| Green John™ Callistemon viminalis ‘LJ23’ PBR | Beautiful lighter green new foliage that contrasts with darker green mature foliage, its green foliage also contrasts well with its red flowers that appear from September to November. |
| Grey Box™ Westringia fruticosa ‘WES04’ PBR | Has a very tidy natural ball shape when left unpruned and provides great colour contrast with grey foliage and white flowers from September to May. Recently awarded NGIA Plant of the Year 2015, click here for more information. |
| Lucia™ Dianella caerulea ‘DC101’ PBR | Deep green foliage with mulberry flower buds in spring that then open into purple flowers that sit high above the foliage, followed by purple berries in summer. |
| Aussie Rambler™ Carpobrotus glaucescens ‘CAR10’ PBR | A prostrate creeping succulent that has long trailing stems up to 2m. It produces extra-large deep pink flowers in spring and autumn. |
| Plant Name | Information |
| Shara™ Lomandra fluvialtilis ‘ABU7’ PBR | A tough fine leaf compact form with blue grey tones and masses of yellow flowers that sit above the foliage. Tolerates humid climates and heavy soils. |
| Themeda australis ‘Mingo’ PBR | A blue prostrate form of Kangaroo grass with blue foliage with rusty red/brown seed heads over summer. |
| Mundi™ Westringia fruticosa ‘WES05’ PBR | A beautiful ground cover that if left unpruned will still retain a tidy form, Low growing plant that produces masses of white flowers. |
| Yareena™ Myoporum parvifolium ‘PARV01’ PBR | It is a longer lived form with crisp clean foliage and masses of white flowers. |
| Tanika® Lomandra longifolia ‘LM300’ PBR | Has been performing in landscapes across Australia for over a decade. It is soft to touch, evergreen, with a compact fine leaf form. |
| Double Gold™ Gazania hybrid ‘GT20’ PBR | Speading ground cover with clean foliage and beautiful yellow flowers that appear for most of the year. It is sterile so will not produce any seed. |
| Green John™ Callistemon viminalis ‘LJ23’ PBR | Beautiful lighter green new foliage that contrasts with darker green mature foliage, its green foliage also contrasts well with its red flowers that appear from September to November. |
| Grey Box™ Westringia fruticosa ‘WES04’ PBR | Has a very tidy natural ball shape when left unpruned and provides great colour contrast with grey foliage and white flowers from September to May. Recently awarded NGIA Plant of the Year 2015, click here for more information. |
| Lucia™ Dianella caerulea ‘DC101’ PBR | Deep green foliage with mulberry flower buds in spring that then open into purple flowers that sit high above the foliage, followed by purple berries in summer. |
| Aussie Rambler™ Carpobrotus glaucescens ‘CAR10’ PBR | A prostrate creeping succulent that has long trailing stems up to 2m. It produces extra-large deep pink flowers in spring and autumn. |
| Plant Name | Information |
| Shara™ Lomandra fluvialtilis ‘ABU7’ PBR | A tough fine leaf compact form with blue grey tones and masses of yellow flowers that sit above the foliage. Tolerates humid climates and heavy soils. |
| Themeda australis ‘Mingo’ PBR | A blue prostrate form of Kangaroo grass with blue foliage with rusty red/brown seed heads over summer. |
| Mundi™ Westringia fruticosa ‘WES05’ PBR | A beautiful ground cover that if left unpruned will still retain a tidy form, Low growing plant that produces masses of white flowers. |
| Yareena™ Myoporum parvifolium ‘PARV01’ PBR | It is a longer lived form with crisp clean foliage and masses of white flowers. |
| Tanika® Lomandra longifolia ‘LM300’ PBR | Has been performing in landscapes across Australia for over a decade. It is soft to touch, evergreen, with a compact fine leaf form. |
| Double Gold™ Gazania hybrid ‘GT20’ PBR | Speading ground cover with clean foliage and beautiful yellow flowers that appear for most of the year. It is sterile so will not produce any seed. |
| Green John™ Callistemon viminalis ‘LJ23’ PBR | Beautiful lighter green new foliage that contrasts with darker green mature foliage, its green foliage also contrasts well with its red flowers that appear from September to November. |
| Grey Box™ Westringia fruticosa ‘WES04’ PBR | Has a very tidy natural ball shape when left unpruned and provides great colour contrast with grey foliage and white flowers from September to May. Recently awarded NGIA Plant of the Year 2015, click here for more information. |
| Lucia™ Dianella caerulea ‘DC101’ PBR | Deep green foliage with mulberry flower buds in spring that then open into purple flowers that sit high above the foliage, followed by purple berries in summer. |
| Aussie Rambler™ Carpobrotus glaucescens ‘CAR10’ PBR | A prostrate creeping succulent that has long trailing stems up to 2m. It produces extra-large deep pink flowers in spring and autumn. |
| Plant Name | Information |
| Shara™ Lomandra fluvialtilis ‘ABU7’ PBR | A tough fine leaf compact form with blue grey tones and masses of yellow flowers that sit above the foliage. Tolerates humid climates and heavy soils. |
| Themeda australis ‘Mingo’ PBR | A blue prostrate form of Kangaroo grass with blue foliage with rusty red/brown seed heads over summer. |
| Mundi™ Westringia fruticosa ‘WES05’ PBR | A beautiful ground cover that if left unpruned will still retain a tidy form, Low growing plant that produces masses of white flowers. |
| Yareena™ Myoporum parvifolium ‘PARV01’ PBR | It is a longer lived form with crisp clean foliage and masses of white flowers. |
| Tanika® Lomandra longifolia ‘LM300’ PBR | Has been performing in landscapes across Australia for over a decade. It is soft to touch, evergreen, with a compact fine leaf form. |
| Double Gold™ Gazania hybrid ‘GT20’ PBR | Speading ground cover with clean foliage and beautiful yellow flowers that appear for most of the year. It is sterile so will not produce any seed. |
| Green John™ Callistemon viminalis ‘LJ23’ PBR | Beautiful lighter green new foliage that contrasts with darker green mature foliage, its green foliage also contrasts well with its red flowers that appear from September to November. |
| Grey Box™ Westringia fruticosa ‘WES04’ PBR | Has a very tidy natural ball shape when left unpruned and provides great colour contrast with grey foliage and white flowers from September to May. Recently awarded NGIA Plant of the Year 2015, click here for more information. |
| Lucia™ Dianella caerulea ‘DC101’ PBR | Deep green foliage with mulberry flower buds in spring that then open into purple flowers that sit high above the foliage, followed by purple berries in summer. |
| Aussie Rambler™ Carpobrotus glaucescens ‘CAR10’ PBR | A prostrate creeping succulent that has long trailing stems up to 2m. It produces extra-large deep pink flowers in spring and autumn. |
| Plant Name | Extra Care Details |
| Shara™ Lomandra fluvialtilis ‘ABU7’ PBR | A tough fine leaf compact form with blue grey tones and masses of yellow flowers that sit above the foliage. Tolerates humid climates and heavy soils. |
| Katie Belles™ Lomandra hystrix ‘LHBYF’ PBR | Evergreen Australian native that will tolerate part shade. Masses of highly perfumed flowers from September to November year after year, sometimes repeat flowering in autumn. |
| Tropic Cascade™ Lomandra hystrix ‘LHWP’ PBR | Has large fragrant yellow male flowers that will not produce seed. It has beautiful weeping foliage and is a more compact. |
| Mundi™ Westringia fruticosa ‘WES05’ PBR | A beautiful ground cover that if left unpruned will still retain a tidy form, Low growing plant that produces masses of white flowers. |
| Green John™ Callistemon viminalis ‘LJ23’ PBR | Beautiful lighter green new foliage that contrasts with darker green mature foliage, its green foliage also contrasts well with its red flowers that appear from September to November. |
| Grey Box™ Westringia fruticosa ‘WES04’ PBR | Has a very tidy natural ball shape when left unpruned and provides great colour contrast with grey foliage and white flowers from September to May. Recently awarded NGIA Plant of the Year 2015, click here for more information. |
| Lucia™ Dianella caerulea ‘DC101’ PBR | Deep green foliage with mulberry flower buds in spring that then open into purple flowers that sit high above the foliage, followed by purple berries in summer. |
| Themeda australis ‘Mingo’ PBR | A blue prostrate form of Kangaroo grass with blue foliage with rusty red/brown seed heads over summer. |
| Nafray® Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘PA300’ PBR | A native grass that has a finer texture, is more drought tolerant and more compact than the common form. Feathery flower plumes from summer to autumn. |
| Cosmic White™ Rhaphiolepis indica ‘RAPH01’ PBR | Tough evergreen shrub that grows just about anywhere. Flowers heavily in spring with spot flowering through the rest of the year. |
| Plant Name | Extra Care Details |
| Shara™ Lomandra fluvialtilis ‘ABU7’ PBR | A tough fine leaf compact form with blue grey tones and masses of yellow flowers that sit above the foliage. Tolerates humid climates and heavy soils. |
| Katie Belles™ Lomandra hystrix ‘LHBYF’ PBR | Evergreen Australian native that will tolerate part shade. Masses of highly perfumed flowers from September to November year after year, sometimes repeat flowering in autumn. |
| Tropic Cascade™ Lomandra hystrix ‘LHWP’ PBR | Has large fragrant yellow male flowers that will not produce seed. It has beautiful weeping foliage and is a more compact. |
| Mundi™ Westringia fruticosa ‘WES05’ PBR | A beautiful ground cover that if left unpruned will still retain a tidy form, Low growing plant that produces masses of white flowers. |
| Green John™ Callistemon viminalis ‘LJ23’ PBR | Beautiful lighter green new foliage that contrasts with darker green mature foliage, its green foliage also contrasts well with its red flowers that appear from September to November. |
| Grey Box™ Westringia fruticosa ‘WES04’ PBR | Has a very tidy natural ball shape when left unpruned and provides great colour contrast with grey foliage and white flowers from September to May. Recently awarded NGIA Plant of the Year 2015, click here for more information. |
| Lucia™ Dianella caerulea ‘DC101’ PBR | Deep green foliage with mulberry flower buds in spring that then open into purple flowers that sit high above the foliage, followed by purple berries in summer. |
| Themeda australis ‘Mingo’ PBR | A blue prostrate form of Kangaroo grass with blue foliage with rusty red/brown seed heads over summer. |
| Nafray® Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘PA300’ PBR | A native grass that has a finer texture, is more drought tolerant and more compact than the common form. Feathery flower plumes from summer to autumn. |
| Cosmic White™ Rhaphiolepis indica ‘RAPH01’ PBR | Tough evergreen shrub that grows just about anywhere. Flowers heavily in spring with spot flowering through the rest of the year. |
| Plant Name | Extra Care Details |
| Tanika® Lomandra longifolia ‘LM300’ PBR | Has been performing in landscapes across Australia for over a decade. It is soft to touch, evergreen, with a compact fine leaf form. |
| Shara™ Lomandra fluvialtilis ‘ABU7’ PBR | A tough fine leaf compact form with blue grey tones and masses of yellow flowers that sit above the foliage. Tolerates humid climates and heavy soils. |
| Nyalla® Lomandra longifolia ‘LM400’ PBR | Evergreen, with fine leaf foliage that looks like a grass tree, but is trunkless, faster growing and doesn’t need annual trimming. |
| Lucia™ Dianella caerulea ‘DC101’ PBR | Deep green foliage with mulberry flower buds in spring that then open into purple flowers that sit high above the foliage, followed by purple berries in summer. |
| Green John™ Callistemon viminalis ‘LJ23’ PBR | Beautiful lighter green new foliage that contrasts with darker green mature foliage, its green foliage also contrasts well with its red flowers that appear from September to November. |
| Grey Box™ Westringia fruticosa ‘WES04’ PBR | Has a very tidy natural ball shape when left unpruned and provides great colour contrast with grey foliage and white flowers from September to May. Recently awarded NGIA Plant of the Year 2015, click here for more information. |
| Yareena™ Myoporum parvifolium ‘PARV01’ PBR | It is a longer lived form with crisp clean foliage and masses of white flowers. |
| Themeda australis ‘Mingo’ PBR | A blue prostrate form of Kangaroo grass with blue foliage with rusty red/brown seed heads over summer. |
| Revelation® Dianella revoluta ‘DRG04’ PBR | Medium sized with blue green foliage and small blue flowers from October to November. Performs better than other Dianella revoluta types in periodic wet feet. |
| Tasred® Dianella tasmanica ‘TR20’ PBR | Dense tidy appearance with beautiful wide leaves and large purple berries in spring and summer. |
| Plant Name | Information |
| Shara™ Lomandra fluvialtilis ‘ABU7’ PBR | A tough fine leaf compact form with blue grey tones and masses of yellow flowers that sit above the foliage. Tolerates humid climates and heavy soils. |
| Themeda australis ‘Mingo’ PBR | A blue prostrate form of Kangaroo grass with blue foliage with rusty red/brown seed heads over summer. |
| Mundi™ Westringia fruticosa ‘WES05’ PBR | A beautiful ground cover that if left unpruned will still retain a tidy form, Low growing plant that produces masses of white flowers. |
| Yareena™ Myoporum parvifolium ‘PARV01’ PBR | It is a longer lived form with crisp clean foliage and masses of white flowers. |
| Tanika® Lomandra longifolia ‘LM300’ PBR | Has been performing in landscapes across Australia for over a decade. It is soft to touch, evergreen, with a compact fine leaf form. |
| Double Gold™ Gazania hybrid ‘GT20’ PBR | Speading ground cover with clean foliage and beautiful yellow flowers that appear for most of the year. It is sterile so will not produce any seed. |
| Green John™ Callistemon viminalis ‘LJ23’ PBR | Beautiful lighter green new foliage that contrasts with darker green mature foliage, its green foliage also contrasts well with its red flowers that appear from September to November. |
| Grey Box™ Westringia fruticosa ‘WES04’ PBR | Has a very tidy natural ball shape when left unpruned and provides great colour contrast with grey foliage and white flowers from September to May. Recently awarded NGIA Plant of the Year 2015, click here for more information. |
| Lucia™ Dianella caerulea ‘DC101’ PBR | Deep green foliage with mulberry flower buds in spring that then open into purple flowers that sit high above the foliage, followed by purple berries in summer. |
| Aussie Rambler™ Carpobrotus glaucescens ‘CAR10’ PBR | A prostrate creeping succulent that has long trailing stems up to 2m. It produces extra-large deep pink flowers in spring and autumn. |
| Plant Name | Extra Care Details |
| Shara™ Lomandra fluvialtilis ‘ABU7’ PBR | A tough fine leaf compact form with blue grey tones and masses of yellow flowers that sit above the foliage. Tolerates humid climates and heavy soils. |
| Yareena™ Myoporum parvifolium ‘PARV01’ PBR | It is a longer lived form with crisp clean foliage and masses of white flowers. |
| Nyalla® Lomandra longifolia ‘LM400’ PBR | Evergreen, with fine leaf foliage that looks like a grass tree, but is trunkless, faster growing and doesn’t need annual trimming. |
| Themeda australis ‘Mingo’ PBR | A blue prostrate form of Kangaroo grass with blue foliage with rusty red/brown seed heads over summer. |
| Mundi™ Westringia fruticosa ‘WES05’ PBR | A beautiful ground cover that if left unpruned will still retain a tidy form, Low growing plant that produces masses of white flowers. |
| Tanika® Lomandra longifolia ‘LM300’ PBR | Has been performing in landscapes across Australia for over a decade. It is soft to touch, evergreen, with a compact fine leaf form. |
| Double Gold™ Gazania hybrid ‘GT20’ PBR | Speading ground cover with clean foliage and beautiful yellow flowers that appear for most of the year. It is sterile so will not produce any seed. |
| Green John™ Callistemon viminalis ‘LJ23’ PBR | Beautiful lighter green new foliage that contrasts with darker green mature foliage, its green foliage also contrasts well with its red flowers that appear from September to November. |
| Grey Box™ Westringia fruticosa ‘WES04’ PBR | Has a very tidy natural ball shape when left unpruned and provides great colour contrast with grey foliage and white flowers from September to May. Recently awarded NGIA Plant of the Year 2015, click here for more information. |
| Lucia™ Dianella caerulea ‘DC101’ PBR | Deep green foliage with mulberry flower buds in spring that then open into purple flowers that sit high above the foliage, followed by purple berries in summer. |
| Plant Name | Extra Care Details |
| Shara™ Lomandra fluvialtilis ‘ABU7’ PBR | A tough fine leaf compact form with blue grey tones and masses of yellow flowers that sit above the foliage. Tolerates humid climates and heavy soils. |
| Yareena™ Myoporum parvifolium ‘PARV01’ PBR | It is a longer lived form with crisp clean foliage and masses of white flowers. |
| Nyalla® Lomandra longifolia ‘LM400’ PBR | Evergreen, with fine leaf foliage that looks like a grass tree, but is trunkless, faster growing and doesn’t need annual trimming. |
| Themeda australis ‘Mingo’ PBR | A blue prostrate form of Kangaroo grass with blue foliage with rusty red/brown seed heads over summer. |
| Mundi™ Westringia fruticosa ‘WES05’ PBR | A beautiful ground cover that if left unpruned will still retain a tidy form, Low growing plant that produces masses of white flowers. |
| Tanika® Lomandra longifolia ‘LM300’ PBR | Has been performing in landscapes across Australia for over a decade. It is soft to touch, evergreen, with a compact fine leaf form. |
| Double Gold™ Gazania hybrid ‘GT20’ PBR | Speading ground cover with clean foliage and beautiful yellow flowers that appear for most of the year. It is sterile so will not produce any seed. |
| Green John™ Callistemon viminalis ‘LJ23’ PBR | Beautiful lighter green new foliage that contrasts with darker green mature foliage, its green foliage also contrasts well with its red flowers that appear from September to November. |
| Grey Box™ Westringia fruticosa ‘WES04’ PBR | Has a very tidy natural ball shape when left unpruned and provides great colour contrast with grey foliage and white flowers from September to May. Recently awarded NGIA Plant of the Year 2015, click here for more information. |
| Lucia™ Dianella caerulea ‘DC101’ PBR | Deep green foliage with mulberry flower buds in spring that then open into purple flowers that sit high above the foliage, followed by purple berries in summer. |
| Plant Name | Extra Care Details |
| Shara™ Lomandra fluvialtilis ‘ABU7’ PBR | A tough fine leaf compact form with blue grey tones and masses of yellow flowers that sit above the foliage. Tolerates humid climates and heavy soils. |
| Yareena™ Myoporum parvifolium ‘PARV01’ PBR | It is a longer lived form with crisp clean foliage and masses of white flowers. |
| Nyalla® Lomandra longifolia ‘LM400’ PBR | Evergreen, with fine leaf foliage that looks like a grass tree, but is trunkless, faster growing and doesn’t need annual trimming. |
| Themeda australis ‘Mingo’ PBR | A blue prostrate form of Kangaroo grass with blue foliage with rusty red/brown seed heads over summer. |
| Mundi™ Westringia fruticosa ‘WES05’ PBR | A beautiful ground cover that if left unpruned will still retain a tidy form, Low growing plant that produces masses of white flowers. |
| Tanika® Lomandra longifolia ‘LM300’ PBR | Has been performing in landscapes across Australia for over a decade. It is soft to touch, evergreen, with a compact fine leaf form. |
| Double Gold™ Gazania hybrid ‘GT20’ PBR | Speading ground cover with clean foliage and beautiful yellow flowers that appear for most of the year. It is sterile so will not produce any seed. |
| Green John™ Callistemon viminalis ‘LJ23’ PBR | Beautiful lighter green new foliage that contrasts with darker green mature foliage, its green foliage also contrasts well with its red flowers that appear from September to November. |
| Grey Box™ Westringia fruticosa ‘WES04’ PBR | Has a very tidy natural ball shape when left unpruned and provides great colour contrast with grey foliage and white flowers from September to May. Recently awarded NGIA Plant of the Year 2015, click here for more information. |
| Lucia™ Dianella caerulea ‘DC101’ PBR | Deep green foliage with mulberry flower buds in spring that then open into purple flowers that sit high above the foliage, followed by purple berries in summer. |