Livable Garden Centre | Livable Basics

Acid/Acidic

Soil with a pH below 7 is considered acidic. Some plants grow best in acidic soil, while others prefer neutral or alkaline conditions. Testing your soil can help you choose plants that are better suited to your garden.

Adaptable

A plant that grows successfully across a wide range of conditions, such as different soil types, light levels or climates. Adaptable plants are often easier to establish in home gardens.

Aerial Roots

Roots that grow above the soil rather than below it. They help some plants climb, absorb moisture from the air or provide additional support.

Air-purifying plant

A term commonly used to describe indoor plants that have been studied for their ability to remove certain airborne compounds under controlled conditions. Most people choose these plants for their appearance and the enjoyment they bring to indoor spaces.

Alkaline

Soil with a pH above 7 is considered alkaline. Soil pH affects how easily plants can access nutrients, so knowing whether your soil is alkaline can help you choose suitable plants and soil treatments.

Annuals

Annuals complete their entire life cycle within one growing season, from germination through to flowering, seed production and death. They provide plenty of seasonal colour but generally need replanting each year.

Arid

A climate with very low rainfall and dry conditions throughout most of the year. Plants suited to arid areas are typically highly drought tolerant and adapted to conserving water.

Aromatic

Plants with fragrant leaves, flowers or stems that release a noticeable scent when touched, crushed or growing naturally. Many aromatic plants are popular in herb gardens and sensory gardens.

Attractive foliage

Plants grown primarily for the colour, texture or shape of their leaves rather than their flowers. Foliage plants can provide interest throughout much of the year.

Australian Cultivar

A selected variety of a plant that has been developed or bred in Australia for particular characteristics such as improved flowering, compact growth, disease resistance or suitability to Australian growing conditions.

Beneficial Insects

Insects that provide natural benefits in the garden by pollinating flowers, breaking down organic matter or feeding on garden pests. Encouraging beneficial insects can help create a healthier and more balanced garden ecosystem.

Biennials

Biennial plants complete their life cycle over two growing seasons. They usually produce leaves in their first year, then flower, set seed and die during their second year.

Biodiversity

Biodiversity is the variety of plants, animals, fungi and other living organisms that share an environment. A biodiverse garden helps create healthier ecosystems by supporting pollinators, beneficial insects, birds and other wildlife.

Biosecurity

Biosecurity refers to practices that help prevent the spread of pests, diseases and invasive weeds. Good biosecurity protects home gardens, farms and Australia's natural environments.

Border Planting

Plants used to define the edges of garden beds, paths or lawns. Border planting can add structure, guide movement through the garden and create a finished appearance.

Bracts

Bracts are modified leaves that surround or sit beneath flowers. In some plants, such as bougainvillea and poinsettia, the colourful bracts are often more noticeable than the flowers themselves.

Bush Tucker

Bush tucker refers to native Australian plants traditionally used as food by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples for thousands of years. Many bush tucker plants are also well suited to Australian gardens and support local biodiversity.

Bare Root

Bare root plants are sold without soil around their roots while they are dormant. They are typically available during the cooler months and should be planted soon after purchase.

Beneficial Wildlife

Animals such as birds, frogs, lizards, insects and other creatures that contribute positively to a healthy garden. Beneficial wildlife can assist with pollination, natural pest control and maintaining biodiversity.

Biennial

These plants take two years to do their thing - grow leaves the first year, then flower and set seed the second year before dying. A bit more patient than annuals.

Border planting

Perfect for lining pathways or defining garden beds — helps create neat edges and added structure in the garden.

Bracts

Modified leaves that hang around flowers, often more colourful than regular leaves. They're nature's way of making flowers more attractive to pollinators.

Bush tucker

Native Australian plants traditionally used by First Nations peoples for food and cultural purposes — a great way to connect with local heritage while growing hardy, regionally suited plants.

Calcium (Ca)

Essential nutrient that keeps plant cell walls strong and helps roots develop properly. Like giving your plants good
bones.

Climbers/Climbing Plants

These clever plants use tendrils, aerial roots, or twining stems to climb up supports. Perfect for covering fences or adding height to small spaces.

Coastal Garden

Plants suited to seaside conditions — able to handle salt spray, sandy soils, humidity, and coastal winds better than many other garden plants.

Colourful

Brings noticeable colour into the garden through flowers, foliage, fruit, bark, or seasonal growth.

Compost

Decomposed organic matter that's like gold for your soil. Improves structure, holds moisture, and feeds beneficial soil
organisms.

Container/Container Growing

Suitable for pots, raised beds, and other enclosed growing spaces — great for renters, smaller areas, or where you want more control over soil conditions.

Cottage garden

Soft, informal plants that help create a relaxed cottage garden feel — often layered with flowers, foliage, and seasonal colour.

Creeper

Plants that spread along the ground rather than growing up. Excellent for covering ground and filling in spaces.

Courtyard growing

Well suited to smaller outdoor spaces — typically compact or upright growers that do not require a large planting area.

Cut flowers

Flowers that look great in a vase and generally last well once picked — making it easy to bring fresh garden colour indoors.

Deciduous

Plants that drop their leaves seasonally - usually to save water and energy during tougher times. They'll come back when
conditions improve.

Decorative fruit

Grows eye-catching fruit that adds visual interest beyond the flowering season — often also attracting birds into the garden.

Drought hardy/tolerant

Once established, these resilient plants can generally handle dry periods with less frequent watering — making them well suited to water-wise gardens and SEQ conditions.

Dry Sclerophyll Woodland

Natural habitat with lower rainfall, featuring spaced-out trees and plants adapted to drier conditions. Common in our area.

Edible

Produces edible leaves, fruit, flowers, seeds, or roots commonly used in cooking or food preparation — though it is always worth researching the correct edible parts and preparation methods before consuming any plant.

Eucalyptus forest

Natural habitat dominated by our iconic eucalyptus trees. These forests vary heaps depending on local conditions.

Erosion control

Plants with root systems that help hold soil in place on slopes, embankments, or exposed areas — helping reduce runoff and soil movement over time.

Feature plant

The showstopper of your garden - chosen to be a focal point or centrepiece that draws the eye.

Fertilisers

Plant food that supplies extra nutrients. Can be solid or liquid, fast or slow-release - choose what suits your plants and routine.

Firewise garden

Plants less likely to catch fire in bushfires - important consideration if you're in a fire-prone area.

Forest

Dense tree habitat that creates shaded, humid conditions supporting loads of different plants and animals.

Fragrant

Produces pleasant scents from flowers or leaves.

Grasslands

Natural habitats where grasses are the main vegetation rather than trees. Can be dry or wet, and support diverse plant and animal life.

Groundcover

Low-growing plants that spread across soil, reducing erosion and suppressing weed growth.

Habitat

The natural environment where a plant lives and thrives in the wild.

Heath/Heathland

Natural habitat with low-growing shrubs, usually found in nutrient-poor, well-drained soils.

Height

How tall a plant grows from base to tip. Actual size depends on your conditions - soil quality, water availability, and pruning.

Herbaceous

Plants with soft, non-woody stems that often die back in winter and regrow from roots when conditions improve.

Kid & pet-friendly

Generally considered non-toxic and safe around children and pets.

Littoral Forest

Coastal forest habitat containing plants adapted to salt spray, wind, and sandy soils.

Loam/Loamy Soil

Balanced mix of sand, silt, and clay that drains well while retaining moisture and nutrients. Suitable for a wide range of plants.

Low maintenance garden

Plants that require minimal upkeep once established.

Macro Nutrients

Essential elements required in large quantities for plant growth - nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K).

Magnesium (Mg)

Essential nutrient that plays a key role in photosynthesis and overall plant health.

Mallee Area

Natural habitat with low-growing, multi-stemmed trees, typically found in arid or semi-arid regions.

Media/Medium

The material plants are grown in - may include soil, compost, peat moss, perlite, or other components that support plant roots.

Mediterranean Climate

Climate with mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers, typically found in coastal areas.

Micro Nutrients

Essential elements that plants need in small amounts - iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), boron (B), and chlorine (Cl).

Mountain Slopes

Sloping sides of hills or mountains that may have unique microclimates and varied soil types.

Mulch

Layer of organic material applied to soil surface to retain moisture, reduce weeds, regulate temperature, and add nutrients as it breaks down.

Mycorrhizae

Beneficial fungi that form partnerships with plant roots, improving water and nutrient absorption.

Native-friendly companion

Non-native plants that grow well alongside native species without being invasive.

Neutral

Soil or substance with a pH level of 7 - balanced between acidic and alkaline.

Nitrogen (N)

Essential nutrient for plant growth, particularly important for leaf and stem development and chlorophyll production.

Nitrogen fixing

Plants that convert nitrogen from the air into a form other plants can use, improving soil fertility.

Obovate (Leaf Shape)

Leaf shape that's broader at the top and narrows towards the base - like an upside-down egg.

Open forest

Natural habitat with scattered trees and an open canopy, allowing moderate sunlight to reach the ground.

Organic Matter

Decomposed plant and animal material in soil that improves structure, water retention, and nutrient availability.

Perennials

Plants that live for more than two years, typically growing and flowering over multiple seasons without replanting.

pH (Potential of Hydrogen)

Measure of acidity or alkalinity in soil on a scale from 0 to 14. Affects nutrient availability and plant growth.

Phosphorus (P)

Essential nutrient for energy transfer, root development, and flowering. Particularly important for early plant growth and seed formation.

Photosynthesis

Process where plants use sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water into energy, producing oxygen.

Playground planting

Tough, low-risk plants suitable for areas where children play.

Pollinator-friendly

Attracts birds, bees, butterflies, and other pollinating insects.

Poolside planting

Plants that tolerate chlorine splash and intense sunlight around swimming pools.

Potassium (K)

Essential nutrient that supports root growth, strengthens plant cells, improves drought and disease resistance, and aids fruit development.

Rainforest

Natural habitat with dense vegetation and high canopy cover, featuring high humidity, abundant rainfall, and diverse plant and animal life.

Rainforest Margin

Transitional area between rainforests and other habitats like open forests or grasslands.

Rhizome

Underground stem that grows horizontally, producing roots and shoots along its length to help plants spread and store nutrients.

Riparian Zones

Areas where land meets waterways. Act as natural buffers, preventing erosion and supporting diverse plant and animal life.

Robust/Hardy

Tough plants that handle varying conditions with minimal care.

Rocky Gullies

Narrow valleys with rocky surfaces that may have unique microclimates and support plants adapted to rocky, well-drained environments.

Rocky or dry gardens (xeriscape)

Plants that tolerate poor, sandy, or shallow soil and infrequent watering. Suitable for low-maintenance or sloped areas.

Sclerophyll

Plants with thick, leathery leaves adapted to conserve water, commonly found in dry or nutrient-poor soils.

Scrubland

Natural habitat dominated by low-growing vegetation, including dense shrubs and small trees.

Seasonal colour

Plants that provide bright or changing colours during particular times of year.

Semi-arid

Climate with limited but regular rainfall - drier than temperate areas but more moisture than arid zones.

Shade-giving

Plants that grow large enough to create natural shade in your garden.

Shrublands

Natural habitats where shrubs are the main vegetation type, varying in density and found in different climates.

Slow-growing

Plants that grow less than 30cm per year, making them easier to manage for
long-term garden structure.

Soil Biome

Complex ecosystem of organisms including bacteria, fungi, and insects that contribute to soil health and fertility.

Soil improver

Plants that help condition and enrich soil through organic matter or beneficial root systems.

Specimen Plant

Plant selected for unique characteristics or striking features, often used as a focal point in landscaping.

Spread

Horizontal growth of a plant - the overall width it may reach under optimal conditions.

Subalpine

Natural habitats at higher elevations with cooler temperatures, shorter growing seasons, and plants adapted to harsh conditions.

Subtropical

Climate zone between tropical and temperate regions with warm to hot temperatures, high humidity, and seasonal variations.

Subtropical Coastal Rainforests

Rainforest habitats in coastal subtropical climates featuring evergreen trees, dense undergrowth, and high plant diversity.

Suitable for colder climates

Plants that tolerate light frost and cold snaps down to around -2°C to -4°C, as occasionally experienced in SEQ hinterland areas.

Suitable indoors

Plants that can be grown indoors with filtered light and good airflow.

Sulfur (S)

Essential nutrient involved in protein formation, enzyme activation, and overall plant development.

Swampy Coastal Heath

Natural habitat in low-lying coastal areas with poor drainage, supporting plants adapted to wet conditions.

Temperate Climate

Climate with moderate temperatures and distinct seasons, featuring relatively even distribution of rainfall throughout the year.

Tendrils

Thin, specialised structures that climbing plants use to attach to supports.

Textural interest

Plants that add visual depth through interesting leaf textures, structures, or variations.

Trace Elements

Essential minerals required in small quantities for plant health - same as micronutrients.

Trailing plant

Plants with spreading or hanging growth habits, suitable for baskets, walls, or groundcover.

Tropical Climate

Warm, humid climate with high annual rainfall that supports dense vegetation and diverse ecosystems.

Tropical garden

Plants that create a lush, leafy, layered appearance giving tropical aesthetics even without true tropical conditions.

Twining Stems

Stems that coil around supports to help climbing plants grow upward.

Understory planting

Plants that grow well in dappled light beneath taller trees or shrubs.

Vertical Gardening

Growing plants on upright surfaces like walls, trellises, or hanging structures to maximise space.

Wallum

Coastal sandy soil ecosystem found in eastern Australia, featuring shrubs, heath plants, and wetland species adapted to nutrient-poor, acidic soils.

Waterwise Gardening

Gardening techniques that minimise water use through drought-tolerant plants, mulching, and efficient irrigation.

Wet Sclerophyll Forest

Natural habitat with tall trees and moisture-loving understory plants, found in high-rainfall areas.

Wind protection

Plants that form barriers to shield gardens or buildings from wind.

Winter interest

Plants that provide visual appeal during winter months through flowers, berries, or attractive foliage.

Woodland

Natural habitat with spaced trees allowing sunlight to reach the ground, supporting diverse grasses, shrubs, and trees.

Wow! Factor

Plants that stand out with bold colour, form, or overall visual impact.

Xerophyte

Plants specifically adapted to dry conditions, often featuring water-storing structures or deep root systems.

Xeriscape

Landscaping approach designed to reduce water usage through drought-tolerant plants and efficient irrigation.

Yield

Amount of produce or growth a plant generates within a given period, often used to measure crop productivity.