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Turn your kitchen and your backyard into a scent-filled native oasis with some of the country’s most popular bush food plants.
Tip: Always wear the appropriate safety equipment (safety glasses, gloves, ear muffs and a mask, for example) and always follow the instructions for the product or equipment.
This rainforest tree bears clusters of small fruits directly on the trunk. The nutrient-rich, plum-like fruit is ready for picking when it turns deep purple. Its bright-red flesh is intensely sour, so is ideal for jams and sauces. It thrives in the tropics and subtropics but can be grown further south if protected from frost. Plant in a sheltered, partly shaded spot and ensure it gets plenty of water.
The fruit of this native citrus is shaped like a thick finger and filled with tiny round sacs in pale green, pink, yellow or red, depending on the variety. These burst with tangy flavour and are delicious as garnishes for seafood, salads or desserts. The dense shrub or small tree grows in most soils and climates but needs protection from frosts. The branches can be thorny, so take care when harvesting!
Beautiful and fragrant, this small tree makes a great feature plant in your bush food garden, either in a large container or garden bed. Its leaves give off a wonderful citrus scent when crushed and are used to make tea and to flavour savoury and sweet dishes. It does well in warm conditions in rich, well-draining soil and likes a partly shaded position, however it can tolerate full sun in milder climate zones.
A hardy groundcover with thick, glossy leaves, this leafy green substitute can spread up to 2m, so needs plenty of room to grow. Use it as you would spinach, but make sure you cook it first to remove oxalates. While tolerant of a range of conditions, including poor soil, these bush food plants need plenty of sun and good drainage.
Take care when selecting your native bush food plants as some can be poisonous to children and pets, and check their suitability for your region, as some may be classified as weeds in certain states and territories.
Follow our guide to producing a thriving native garden.
Some advertised services and products are not available at some Bunnings stores, but products can be ordered.
Photo credit: Adobe Stock, Alamy Stock Photo, Getty Images.
Asbestos, lead-based paints and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber are health hazards you need to look out for when renovating older homes. These substances can easily be disturbed when renovating and exposure to them can cause a range of life-threatening diseases and conditions including cancer. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer or visit our Health & Safety page.
When following our advice in our D.I.Y. videos, make sure you use all equipment, including PPE, safely by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that the equipment is suitable for the task and that PPE fits properly. If you are unsure, hire an expert to do the job or talk to a Bunnings Team Member.
