Living in the Southwest comes with its fair share of natural beauty—and a few challenges too. One of the most common issues for gardeners, especially on larger, semi-rural blocks, is managing visits from local kangaroos. These animals have long roamed the region, and as our gardens expand into their habitat, encounters are inevitable.
From our experience, kangaroo behaviour in the garden tends to follow the seasons. During winter and spring, when grass is lush and plentiful, they’re usually content grazing on natural feed. However, as the warmer months roll in and the landscape begins to dry out, their diet broadens—and that’s when our gardens start to look appealing.
Unfortunately, this means that many of our carefully chosen plants become targets. Fruit trees, exotic species, and soft bedding plants are often the first to go. As food becomes scarcer, even hardy native plants—those we might assume are safe—can fall victim, despite not seeming particularly appetising.
The truth is, there aren’t many plants that kangaroos won’t at least try. Typically, aromatic or prickly shrubs are left until last, but in the height of a dry summer, even these can be nibbled.
A simple deterrent to try
Some gardeners have had mild success using fertilisers such as blood and bone or Dynamic Lifter applied sparingly around garden beds. The scent can act as a temporary deterrent for kangaroos, while also giving your plants a nutrient boost. Keep in mind, this is not a permanent solution—the smell will fade, especially after rain—but it can be a helpful, low-effort addition to your garden care routine.
That said, some plants do appear to be less palatable than others and choosing these can help reduce damage in your garden.
Have you found plants that kangaroos tend to avoid?
We’d love to hear your insights and recommendations—sharing knowledge can make all the difference for gardeners facing this uniquely Australian challenge.
Below is some of our suggestions – no guarantees though!
· Alyogyne huegelii
· Anigozanthos Yellow Gem
· Baeckia virgata
· Banksia blechnifolia
· Banksia grandis
· Banksia sessilis (Parrot Bush)
· Beaufortia purpurea
· Boronia heterophylla
· Callistemon ‘Endeavour’
· Callistemon ‘Reeves Pink’
· Chamelaucium spp. (Geraldton Wax)
· Correa ‘Dusky Bells’
· Crowea exalata ‘Ryans Star’
· Dampiera diversifolia
· Darwinia citriodora
· Eremophila glabra
· Grevillea ‘Honey Gem’
· Grevillea ‘Lemon Supreme’
· Grevillea ‘Robyn Gordon’
· Grevillea ‘Superb’
· Grevillea ‘Winpara Gold’
· Grevillea hookeriana
· Hakea ‘Burrendong Beauty’
· Hakea francisiana
· Hakea laurina (Pincushion Hakea)
· Hemiandra pungens (Snake Bush)
· Hibbertia scandens
· Hypocalymma angustifolium (Honey Myrtle)
· Kunzea baxteri
· Leptospermum ‘Cardwell’
· Leptospermum sericeum (Esperance Tea Tree)
· Macropidia fuliginosa (Black Kangaroo Paw)
· Melaleuca incana (Chenille Honey Myrtle)
· Melaleuca nesophila
· Myoporum
· Phebalium ‘Woombye Pink’
· Philotheca myoporoides (Native Daphne)
· Prostanthera ovalifolia (Native Mint)
· Templetonia retusa
· Thryptomene ‘FC Payne’
· Westringia fruticosa (Native Rosemary)