Eligibility and
entry requirements
- Plants have not been entered before into the Plant of the Year in Australia.
- Applications open to all plants, cultivars are encouraged.
- Open to any breeder or business to enter.
Entrance fees
$1250 (ex. GST)
for NGI members
$1950 (ex. GST)
for non NGI members
Awards
One winner. Two finalists.
Plants from across all categories are assessed by an independent judging panel against a range of scoring criteria, including innovation, performance, market appeal and industry value.
The highest-scoring plant is awarded Plant of the Year, with two additional plants recognised as finalists.
Silver
Finalist
Gold
Plant of the Year
Silver
Finalist
Of these category winners, a single Plant of the Year is awarded.
Shrub of the Year
Herbaceous Plant Of the Year
Annual, Perennial
Tree of the Year
Specialist Plant
Of the Year
Climbers/vine, Edible, Succulents, Indoor/house, Groundcover
Australian Native Plant
Of the Year – New Category for 2026
Only one will be Plant of the Year
Only one will be Plant of the Year
Only one will be Plant of the Year
Only one will be Plant of the Year
Only one will be Plant of the Year
Process
Scoring Criteria
The plant will be evaluated based on its aesthetics, and overall visual impact, considering colour, form/habit, and texture, as well as unique or striking colours, patterns, fruit, foliage, and distinctive features.
Applicants should consider presenting in their application, photographic evidence of the entrant across a range of sites and seasons, noting the visual attributes/traits of appeal
- Colour – vibrancy, patterns, longevity, consistency, amount of colour (50%)
- Form/habit, texture and other applicable sensory elements (50%)
The plant will be evaluated on its ability to exhibit consistent and reliable performance, thrive with minimal inputs and resources, achieve excellent growth both in establishment and over their lifespan, display resistance to pests and diseases, tolerate environmental constraints, and demonstrate robustness in cultivation across diverse climate zones and versatility in garden or landscape applications.
As with the previous criteria, entrants may score higher if they present a broad range of evidence, with the higher scores given to independent testing, evaluation and trialling. Evidence for growth in establishment and over the long term is to be provided by the applicant.
- Requires low or minimal inputs to sustain satisfactory growth, performance and visual outcomes, including nutrition, irrigation, labour, etc. (50%)
- Adaptability to a wide range of environmental and biological stresses (50%)
- High pest disease resistance – Resistance to diseases and pests and/or rapid recovery from infestation. Reduced need for chemical interventions or treatments.
- High tolerance to environmental factors (Light/shade, drought, waterlogging, soil compaction, soil salinity, air-borne salt, soil pH, etc)
The plant will be evaluated on its potential commercial viability and alignment with market demand, as well as its uniqueness, origin story, or special attributes that enhance its appeal to consumers.
Furthermore, judges will consider its recreational value for both home gardeners and public spaces and educational potential for botanic gardens, schools, and horticultural programs. (50%)
- Commercial potential
- Uniqueness
- Origin story
- Innovative marketing strategies that set it apart
- Recreational value for home gardeners or public spaces
- Educational potential for botanic gardens, schools, or horticultural programs
The applicant is to identify where the innovation lies with the entered plant, considering (50%):
- Introduction of inventive plant traits, such as compactness or enhanced disease resistance.
- Relevance to contemporary applications and uses
- Originality as a new cultivar or a unique variation of a species, with evidence provided of the origins of the plant and breeder acknowledgment.
