Fire retardant Australian plants
By Daniel Fuller
Australians are no strangers to the devastating effects of bushfires. Whether started deliberately by arsonists, through lightning strikes onto dry plant material, or simply through human error, fire comes with serious risk, and it pays to improve fire safety in our public and private landscapes to help manage danger to humans, livestock and property.
It is understandable that many people would prefer to use the term ‘fire resistant’ instead of ‘fire retardant.’ It is an important term because ‘fire resistant’ means that an object can withstand fire, like concrete and steel, whereas ‘fire retardant’ means that an object physically dampens a fire’s effects and reduces flammability, such as a bucket of water.
Fire retardant plants generally have high moisture content, and low oil content. While two varieties of the same species may both be technically termed ‘fire retardant,’ the variety with the best environmental tolerances and the densest foliage will have a higher fire-reducing performance due to the extra moisture retained within the foliage.
Myoporum insulare ‘MYIN01’ PBR intended Trade Name Ground Hug™ is a prostrate spreading shrub that generally won’t get taller than 200mm, even after ten years of layering. It recently won the NGIV’s 2025 Specialist Plant of the Year because of its functionality, featuring shorter internodes meaning more foliage per stem. This not only provides superior weed suppression but also extra moisture to retard flames. The oblong leaves are thick, evergreen, and contain high amounts of moisture.
Hibbertias are climbing/spreading coastal plants with lush fleshy foliage that has a high moisture content. For ground cover applications, opt for Hibbertia scandens ‘HBS01’ PBR intended Trade Name Groundswell™. For climbing applications, opt for Hibbertia scandens ‘HBS02’ PBR intended Trade Name Straightup™.
A study was done on Lomandra by CSIRO conducted in 1999 in collaboration with the (previously named) Victorian Department of Sustainability and Environment, which found that they were much slower to ignite compared to other plants. However, make sure you remove old, dry foliage, and pruning plants hard each autumn or winter will help and allow new green growth to emerge before bushfire season.
Lomandra longifolia ‘LM360’ PBR Trade Name Lady Tanika® is a sterile variety, perfect for near bushland where weeds and pollen are discouraged. Lomandra fluviatilis ‘LM380’ PBR Trade Name Shara Blue™ provides bluer foliage tones for year-round interest while supporting beneficial pollinators like predatory beetles.
Pandorea are known to be reasonably fire retardant, but they often defoliate at the base over time, leaving only the woody stem bases to combat the spread of flames. Pandorea jasminoides ‘PJ01’ PBR Trade Name Ozbreed Flat White® is a high performing variety that tends to keep its lower foliage, providing more moisture at the base of the plant to combat embers.
Unfortunately, it’s not enough to simply specify fire retardant plants. A fire safe landscape requires maintenance to remove dry plant material such as spent leaves or dead flower heads, and to encourage moisture, especially through adequate irrigation. Lawns should be kept green and mown, hedges should be regularly pruned to encourage fresh foliage, while safe zones and escape routes require particular attention to be kept consistently clean and clear.
With exposure to excessive heat, flame, hot wind, and time, all plants will eventually burn once plant moisture is diminished. But selecting plants with fleshy, thick, evergreen foliage that contains higher levels of moisture will help reduce chances of rapid ignition in an ember attack, and this could prove critical when reducing risk for humans, animals and property in the early stages of a bushfire.
Daniel Fuller & Ozbreed
M: 042 6169 708
E: horticulture@ozbreed.com.au