The sale or distribution of gazania should be banned. These weeds are at plague levels in Western Victoria and threaten sensitive Mallee ecosystems.
While there is no national ban yet, the movement to restrict Gazanias is gaining significant momentum in 2026. Here is the current landscape of the “Ban Gazania” movement.
🚫 Why South Australia Banned Them
South Australia remains the only state with a total ban. The Landscape South Australia Act 2019 prohibits the sale and movement of all Gazania species because:
- Infrastructure Damage: They thrive in the cracks of roads and footpaths, increasing council maintenance costs.
- Pasture Loss: They invade grazing land, providing zero nutritional value for livestock.
- Salt Tolerance: They are particularly destructive in coastal dunes where they outcompete native stabilizers.
🏛️ The Push for a Victorian & NSW Ban
In Victoria and NSW, the campaign to ban them is currently focused on “Voluntary Industry Phase-outs.”
- Local Councils: Many Victorian councils (like Bayside and Frankston) have already banned Gazanias from their own landscaping and strongly discourage residents from planting them.
- Environmental Groups: The Invasive Species Council is lobbying the Victorian government to list them as “Restricted Weeds” under the Catchment and Land Protection Act.
- Nursery Pressure: Some major retailers are being pressured to label Gazanias with “Invasive Species” warnings, similar to how some states label certain ornamental grasses.
✅ Safe Alternatives (The “Look-Alikes”)
If you want the bright, low-growing look of a Gazania without the environmental risk, these Australian natives are the recommended replacements:
- Native Pigface (Carpobrotus modestus): Extremely hardy, succulent leaves with bright pink/purple flowers.
- Cut-leaf Daisy (Brachyscome multifida): Low-growing with masses of purple or white flowers; very popular in Melbourne gardens.
- Native Everlasting Daisy (Xerochrysum viscosum): Provides the papery, bright yellow/orange flower heads.
- Running Postman (Kennedia prostrata): A groundcover with red pea-flowers that provides a “carpet” effect.
⚠️ A Note on “Sterile” Varieties
If you are in a state where they are still legal (like Victoria) and absolutely want them, only buy varieties labeled as sterile (such as GT20 or Double Gold). These are bred not to produce seeds, which significantly reduces—but doesn’t entirely eliminate—their ability to escape your garden.
Mel Yuan for Brunswick 
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