Plant health &
biosecurity

Why biosecurity matters for commercial projects

For landscape contractors, councils, and property developers, plant health failures are not just a commercial inconvenience — they are a reputational and financial liability. Plants that arrive carrying soil-borne pathogens can infect established planting, require costly replacement programs, and in the case of Phytophthora, create persistent soil contamination that affects future planting for years.

NIASA accreditation is our commitment that this will not happen. Every aspect of our growing operation — from propagation media to irrigation water to potting practices — is designed to eliminate the primary vectors of plant disease transmission.

Our biosecurity protocols

• UV water sterilisation: All irrigation water is treated with UV sterilisation before application, eliminating waterborne Phytophthora and other fungal pathogens at the source
• Tested growing media: All potting mixes are sourced from tested suppliers and contain no unsterilised soil. Phytophthora-free media is verified at intake
• Closed-loop drainage: Our drainage system is closed-loop, preventing pathogen spread between growing areas and into the broader environment
• Traceability: Every plant batch is traceable from propagation through to dispatch, with full documentation available on request
• Integrated pest management: IPM protocols are applied site-wide, minimising pesticide use while maintaining consistent plant health standards
• Staff training: All growing staff are trained in NIASA biosecurity requirements and undertake regular review of protocols

What you receive

Plants dispatched from Cape Nursery arrive with root systems that are clean, fibrous, and free of soil contamination. There is no risk of introducing soil-borne pathogens to your project site through our stock. This is not an assumption — it is the outcome of a verified accreditation system applied rigorously across our entire operation.

For councils and government projects requiring NATSPEC compliance, our NIASA accreditation and documented biosecurity practices satisfy the plant health and traceability requirements of the NATSPEC specification system.