Free plants for buyers of new residential blocks in Canberra

It’s scientifically proven that plants can greatly improve our mental health and, if creating the garden of your dreams has been on your to-do list for a long time, your plant prayers may be answered.

Unbeknown to many, since 1930 the ACT government has been running a Free Plant Issue Scheme with the aim of preserving the city’s “Garden City” concept and help new homeowners offset the cost of establishing a sustainable garden made up of plants suitable for the Canberra climate.

If you have purchased a brand-new residential block of land in Canberra, you are entitled to an allocation of plants from the Yarralumla Nursery. The ACT government provides these plants to help you beautify your new home and your suburb. There is no further cost to the householder. 

So, if you want to spruce up your new block, read on and see what you could be entitled to.

How do I qualify for the scheme?

Under the program, if you purchased a brand-new residential block of land in the ACT, you are entitled to receive free plants. However, you can only receive the plants within two years from the date the land purchase agreement was signed.

This scheme is only available to new landowners who purchased newly released land in the capital and does not include blocks purchased under the Loose Fill Asbestos Insulation (Mr Fluffy) Eradication Scheme.

How do I apply for the scheme?

To apply, you need to book an appointment with the nursery and bring the relevant documents (see below).

Bookings are essential and can be made by calling 6207 7779. Appointments are available between 9 am and 3 pm Monday to Friday.

What do I need to provide?

To prove you are a new landowner, you will need to provide a current rates notice of the new property, photographic identification and an original copy of either the settlement papers, contract of sale with the stamp duty stamp, or a letter from your solicitor confirming the settlement.

The dates on the documents should be within a two-year time frame of when they were signed.

What plants can I choose?

Now for the fun part. Once you’re approved and given the green light to be part of the scheme, the choice is all yours. 

Plants to the value of $220 per block can be selected by choosing one of the following three packages:

• Package A: 20 x 140-millimetre pot plants
• Package B: 10 x 200-millimetre pot plants
• Package C: 10 x 140-millimetre pot plants and 5 x 200-millimetre pot plants

You’ll have the option of mixing and matching pot plants. 

How do I collect the plants?

Plants will need to be collected from Yarralumla Nursery between 9am and 3pm from Monday to Friday, and will need to be done in a single pickup. Landscapers are not able to collect the plants on your behalf.

For more information, head to the website.