The Best Plants To Grow In Spring

Spring is a fantastic time for gardens! From prolific fresh veggies to bright floral displays, it’s a season of new beginnings and exciting developments. However, gardening is no doubt a labour of love and there is a lot of work which goes into preparing your garden for spring. But, one of the joys is choosing which plants you’d like to plant ahead of the warmer weather.

Part of this decision on what to plant during the springtime will depend on the growing region you are located in. We explain what you should start planting in spring depending on the growing region so you have the best chance of ensuring a thriving garden.

What to plant in spring by growing region

When it comes to working out what to plant in spring, you’ll likely want to check with what grows well in your climatic zone. Different zones across Australia suit different plants, and taking this into account when planning your garden can mean less heartache and dead plants! Check out the image below to identify which growing region you are in.

Cool Region (Canberra, Melbourne & Tasmania)

Cool zones tend to experience chilly days and frosty mornings in the winter, and warm summer days. Here’s what you should plant for the springtime.

Basil

Perfect on a margarita pizza, in pesto pasta or simply as a fragrant herb, you can’t go wrong with basil! We recommend planting it in a spot which receives 6-8 hours of sun. Hold off from planting your basil until temperatures reach above 12℃. If you’d like to get your basil more established a bit earlier in the season, you can plant it in a pot and place it inside.

Strawberries

Strawberries are a great fruit for growing in the spring! They grow well in pots, and can be a lot of fun for getting the kids into gardening. We recommend planting in full sun and keeping a regular watering schedule, especially early spring to help support root development.

Other plants to grow in cool zones during spring:

• Coriander
• Foxglove
• Capsicum
• Zucchini

Temperate zones (Sydney & Adelaide)

Temperate zones are those that experience cool days, but infrequent frosts. The summers are warm and this region enjoys mild temperatures year round. Here our temperature zone spring plant recommendations.

Blueberries

Sprinkled on muesli or cooked in muffins, the blueberry bush is best planted early spring. We recommend planting your blueberries in a position with full sun and protected from any harsh winds. They are also a little fussy about their soil conditions, so ensure that the soil pH is below 5.5. Keep in mind it can take a while for blueberries to reach maturity and begin bearing fruit!

Sunflowers

Nothing says spring like a burst of colour! You can add some joyful yellow into your garden by planting sunflowers! You can plant your sunflowers in late spring, once the soil has begun to warm up. Before you plant them, we recommend adding some compost to the soil and loosening the soil with a rake.

Other plants to grow in temperate zones during spring:

• Sage
• Begonia
• Rosemary
• Cosmos

Subtropical zones (Brisbane & South-East Queensland)

Subtropical zones are found further south than tropical zones and experience warm summers and mild winters. Here is what you should try planting for the spring.

Mint

This herb can be grown in both tropical and subtropical regions during the spring months. Perfect for adding to a fruity punch or for making mint sauce with! Best grown in full-sun to partial shade in moist soil. Mint is also pretty hard to kill, making it a fantastic plant for those new to gardening.

Kangaroo Paw

An Australian native, the kangaroo paw makes for a great addition to subtropical zone gardens in the spring. This interesting flower comes in a range of colours, including red, orange, yellow, and purple. As kangaroo paw thrives in warmer weather, wait until mid spring and the weather begins to warm up before you plant in the garden.

Other plants to grow in subtropical zones during spring:

• Beetroot
• Snapdragon
• Pumpkin
• Impatiens

Tropical zones (Northern Territory & Northern Queensland)

If you live in a tropical zone, you’ll likely be pretty familiar with humid summers and warm winters. For these areas, we recommend growing the following plants.

Passionfruit

A fresh, tasty passionfruit can give off tropical vibes, so it’s no surprise that these vine fruits grow well in tropical climates. These vines can also be grown in temperate zones, however they need to be in a sunny position. Plant your passionfruit in rich and free-draining soil, and regularly feed with a citrus fertiliser.

Eggplant

Fry it in a pan or add it to a stew – eggplant is a versatile vegetable that can be grown in tropical zones during the spring months. We recommend planting your eggplant in moist and enriched soil in an area with full sun. If you’d like to get a start on the season, you can sow your eggplant seeds indoors using heatmap and then transferring the seedlings to the garden bed.

Other plants to grow in tropical zones during spring:

• Sweet potato
• Watermelon
• Nasturtium
• Chrysanthemum

All zones – everywhere in Australia!

A few plants can be grown in all zones of Australia during spring. When it comes to what to plant in spring in Australia, regardless of the zone, the following can be grown pretty much everywhere.

Flowers

• Petunia
• Salvia
• Marigold

Herbs and veggies

• Chives
• Corn
• Onions

Looking for more gardening tips?

If you are keen to learn more about spring gardening and learn more helpful tips on how to ensure your garden is thriving and healthy, check out our wide range of gardening articles. Can’t find what you are looking for? Get in touch with our friendly team and get the professionals to handle your spring planting with our comprehensive gardening services.