If you enjoy gardening or simply like a stroll through your backyard, it might be time to take a closer look at what’s growing overhead.
A once-loved ornamental plant is now making headlines for worrying reasons.
It’s spreading rapidly and threatening some of our most treasured native trees.
From garden darling to environmental menace
Spanish moss, with its silvery trailing tendrils, has long been a favourite for those wanting to add a tropical touch to their gardens.
Native to the warm, humid Americas, it is easy to see why this epiphyte—a plant that grows on other plants—has found a home in Australian gardens.
But after months of heavy rainfall, Sydney’s climate has become the perfect breeding ground for this fast-spreading invader.
Dr Carol Booth, policy director at the Invasive Species Council, has sounded the alarm: ‘Bush regenerators are raising the alarm as Spanish moss spreads more widely. It can infest dozens of native tree species. We have seen turpentines, brush boxes, lilly pillies and cheese trees all severely impacted. It can grow thickly, smothering trees, blocking sunlight, breaking branches and sometimes killing the host by preventing photosynthesis.’
Why should you care?
It is not just about appearances. Spanish moss can form dense mats that block sunlight, weigh down branches and even kill the trees it grows on by stopping them from photosynthesising.
This is particularly concerning for Sydney’s critically endangered turpentine-ironbark forest and blue gum high forest communities.
These areas are already under threat from urban development and climate change.
Local councils, including Willoughby and Lane Cove, have issued urgent warnings to residents.
Their message is clear: if you spot Spanish moss in your garden, remove it and dispose of it in your green waste bin. Don’t buy it, don’t share it and definitely don’t let it spread.
How did we get here?
Spanish moss is not the only culprit. Australia’s love affair with exotic plants has come at a cost.
According to the Invasive Species Council, three-quarters of all environmental weeds in Australia started out as ornamental garden plants.
Lantana and blackberry, now infamous for their destructive impact on native ecosystems, were once prized additions to Australian gardens.
Despite the risks, Spanish moss and other invasive species like gazania—a popular but problematic import—are still legally sold in nurseries across the country.
Dr Booth warns, ‘More than 30,000 plant species have been imported into Australia for gardening, but fewer than a quarter have been assessed nationally for their weed risk. Unless governments act, we will keep selling the next potentially disastrous plant, putting our bushland and protected areas at risk.’
What can you do?
If you find Spanish moss in your garden, the best option is to remove it by hand.
This can be tricky if it is high up in a tree, but it is the safest method for both the tree and the environment.
Herbicides may work, but they can also harm the host tree, so mechanical removal is preferred.
If you cannot remove it yourself, contact your local council for advice or assistance.
And remember, even if you do not live near bushland, removing Spanish moss from your property helps prevent it spreading further afield.
Its seeds are easily carried by wind, birds and even on your clothing or gardening tools.
A call for change
The Spanish moss story is a timely reminder of the unintended consequences of our gardening choices.
With over $5 billion lost each year to invasive plants, it is clear that stricter regulations and better public awareness are needed.
The Invasive Species Council is campaigning for tougher rules on the nursery industry to prevent the next wave of environmental weeds.
Have your say
Have you spotted Spanish moss or other invasive plants in your area? Have you battled a backyard invader? What steps have you taken to manage or remove them?
We would love to hear your stories and tips. Share your experiences in the comments below and help spread the word before the weeds spread any further!
Together, we can protect Australia’s unique and beautiful landscapes for generations to come.
Also read: New homeowners win five-month fight against invasive backyard plant
