Top 21+ of the best silver plants for Australian gardens

Sun/Shade: Full, direct sun

Care: Rarely need watering or fertiliser

Size: Will grow to a height of 30 – 60 cm

A small, compact, drought-tolerant succulent with oval-shaped leaves that resemble spoons, Kalanchoe is a medium-height plant that will add dimension above groundcover.

Sun/Shade: Full, direct sun

Care: Water weekly during hotter months

Size: Will grow to a height of 1 metre

A fast-growing and lush ground cover that suits most light conditions and soil types. Expect small, cream flowers in spring and summer. It also works well cascading from within a hanging basket.

Sun/Shade: Full, direct sun

Care: Water every 1.5 weeks or so during hotter months

Size: Will grow to a height of 1.5 metres

Silver falls is a creeping plant with long, silver trailing stems. Use as a ground cover or hang in pots for instant impact.

Sun/Shade: Full sun to partial shade

Care: Water regularly during hotter months, allow to dry out between

Size: Can reach lengths of up to 1.5 metres

An aromatic plant with silver-grey foliage and tiny button yellow flowers, use it as a low hedge, border or in containers. This hardy plant is happy in full sun to light shade and will tolerate winter frosts.

Sun/Shade: Full sun to partial shade

Care: Water regularly until established (approx 12 weeks), then sparingly

Size: Will grow to a height of 30 – 60 cm

An ornamental perennial with silver, flax-like foliage, it will fit right into a coastal or Mediterranean-style garden. It grows well in a sheltered spot with well-drained, moist soil. Pair with salvias and lavender.

Sun/Shade: Full sun to partial shade

Care: Water sparingly, prune as needed

Size: Will grow to a height of 1.5 metres

With its majestic, sculptural shapes, this desert plant makes a dramatic focal point in a garden bed or decorative pot. Keep away from footpaths and walkways, as the spines are sharp. They can also be hazardous to pets.

Sun/Shade: Full sun to partial shade

Care: Water sparingly, prune as needed

Size: Will grow to a height of 90 – 180 cm

Easy to grow and super-resilient, its soft, silvery leaves have been likened to animal ears, hence the common name, Panda plant.

Sun/Shade: Full sun to partial shade

Care: Water between 1 and 3 days a week as needed, especially when the soil is dry

Size: Will grow to a height of 30 – 90 cm

Also known as ‘Fringed Lavender’ this hardy, ornamental shrub flowers non-stop from early summer to late autumn in the right conditions. What it lacks in scent it makes up for in looks, plus it will bring butterflies and bees to your garden.

Sun/Shade: Full sun to partial shade

Care: Water during dry periods, take care not to over-water

Size: Will grow to a height of 60- 90 cm

With its soft, finely textured foliage, this plant looks good in both containers and garden beds, and will help tone down brighter blooms. It is also sometimes referred to as silver ragwort or cineraria.

Sun/Shade: Full sun to partial afternoon shade

Care: Water occasionally

Size: Will grow to a height of 20 – 40 cm

An evergreen shrub from the mint family, which has pretty mauve-blue flowers on arching grey stems. It has a decidedly Mediterranean feel. Water well until established then leave to its own devices.

Sun/Shade: Prefers full sun but can grow in partial shade

Care: Water regularly to establish but ensure good drainage

Size: Will grow to a height of 120 – 240 cm

One of the most popular silver-leaved perennials, it works well as a low border or ornamental groundcover plant. Kids will love stroking its furry foliage.

Sun/Shade: Full sun to partial shade

Care: Require about 2.5 cm of water per week

Size: Will grow to a height of 15 – 60 cm

A slightly eccentric-looking addition with velvet leaves and bold foliage. This plant can grow to a height of 90cm,and is ideal in pots or as part of a succulent garden.

Sun/Shade: Can tolerate full morning or afternoon sun, but requires shade at the hottest time of day

Care: Water every 2 – 3 weeks and sparingly, if at all, in winter

Size: Will grow to a height of 60 – 90 cm

With blue-silver, round foliage, this variety of jade is perfect for containers and can be pruned to shape. As per Chinese legend, place one by your front door to encourage money to flow into the household.

Sun/Shade: Full sun to partial shade depending on the climate

Care: Water regularly, especially during summer

Size: Will grow to a height of 15 – 30 cm

This ornamental grass has steel-blue foliage all year round. The dense, blade-like leaves form a nice, neat shape, making it an ideal candidate for borders, edging and rock or cottage gardens.

Sun/Shade: Partial shade

Care: Weekly during summer

Size: Will grow to approximately 15 – 30 x 15 – 45 cm

Silverbush known for its attractive silvery-green foliage and wide, open, white flowers that cover it from spring to summer. Easy to grow and very hardy, it prefers a full sun/partly shaded position and requires very little water.

Sun/Shade: Full sun to partial shade

Care: Allow to dry out between watering

Size: Will grow to approximately 60 x 60 cm

Perfect for coastal settings, this silvery-grey shrub will flourish in a sunny spot and resists wind and salt spray like a champion. It has a low-growing, bun-shaped habit, making it ideal for hedges, topiary or as a feature.

Sun/Shade: Full sun to partial shade

Care: Water once a week

Size: Will grow to approximately 75 x 90 cm

Hailing all the way from Madagascar, the Bismarck is a striking palm that will make a great feature in any garden that has enough space. Its large, blueish fronds grow to 3 metres wide and it can reach a height of 20 metres.

Sun/Shade: Full sun to partial shade

Care: Every day for the first month, then sparingly once established

Size: Will grow to a height of up to 20 metres

Also referred to as coastal rosemary, westringia is a dense, fast-growing shrub native to Australia. Its foliage and blooms range from white to mauve, blue and purple, making it ideal for adding both silver and tiny pops of colour to your garden.

Sun/Shade: Full sun

Care: Place in well-draining soil and water frequently after initial planting. Responds well to pruning.

Size: Will grow to a height of up to 2 metres high and 4 metres wide

This variety of philodendron gets its name for the intriguing, silvery sheen of its foliage. It’s great as a houseplant, or outdoors as a climbing plant

Sun/Shade: Shade or partial shade

Care: Place in well-draining soil and water frequently after initial planting

Size: Grow up to 1 metre high and 0.5 metres wide

Also called Chinese Evergreen, this plant has green and silver foliage that will add interest to any space. It’s also a very hardy plant, and works well both in gardens and indoors.

Sun/Shade: Indirect sunlight

Care: Place in well-draining soil and water when the top 5cm of soil is dry

Size: Up to 50cm high and 40cm wide