Lilly Pilly vs Murraya: Which Hedge Should You Plant? (AU Guide)
QUICK ANSWER
Both make good screening hedges, but they suit different gardens. Lilly Pilly (Syzygium/Acmena) is an Australian native, fast and lush with colourful new growth and berries, but some types get pimple psyllid. Murraya (Murraya paniculata, orange jessamine) is an exotic with glossy leaves and intensely fragrant white flowers, very hardy in warm climates — but it’s frost-tender and a declared/environmental weed in some areas. Choose Lilly Pilly for a native, fast screen; Murraya for fragrance in warm, frost-free gardens where it’s permitted.
✔ How this guide was checked
Comparison is based on the established characteristics of Syzygium/Acmena Lilly Pilly versus Murraya paniculata — growth habit, flowering, climate and the important weed/frost caveats for Murraya. We’ve flagged the need to check local council status for Murraya, since it is restricted in parts of Australia.
Lilly Pilly vs Murraya at a glance
| Feature | Lilly Pilly | Murraya (M. paniculata) |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Australian native | Exotic (Asia) |
| Main appeal | Lush screen, colourful new growth, berries | Intensely fragrant white flowers, glossy foliage |
| Growth speed | Fast | Moderate to fast in warmth |
| Flowers | Fluffy cream, modest | Showy, powerfully fragrant, repeat-flowering |
| Climate | Wide range incl. cooler zones (variety-dependent) | Warm/subtropical; frost-tender |
| Signature issue | Pimple psyllid on some types | Weed status in some areas; frost damage |
| Roots | Fibrous, non-aggressive | Generally well-behaved |
When Lilly Pilly wins
- You want a native screen and the fastest path to privacy.
- You like the colourful bronze/red new growth and edible berries.
- You’re in a cooler or frost-prone area where Murraya struggles — choose a hardy Lilly Pilly variety.
- You want a plant with no weed-status concerns anywhere.
When Murraya wins
- Fragrance is the priority — Murraya’s orange-blossom scent after rain is its whole selling point.
- You’re in a warm, frost-free climate where it thrives.
- You want glossy, formal foliage and don’t mind an exotic.
- It’s permitted in your council area (check first).
Check Murraya’s weed status first
Murraya paniculata is regarded as an environmental or declared weed in parts of Australia and can be restricted for sale or planting. Always check your local council / state listings before choosing it, especially near bushland. Lilly Pilly carries no such restriction.
The verdict
For most Australian homeowners wanting a fast, lush, low-fuss native screen, Lilly Pilly is the safer all-round pick — just choose a psyllid-resistant variety. Reach for Murraya when fragrance in a warm, frost-free, weed-cleared garden is what you’re really after. Also weigh up Lilly Pilly vs Viburnum and Lilly Pilly vs Ficus Hillii if you’re still comparing screens.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lilly Pilly or Murraya better for a hedge?
Lilly Pilly is the better all-round native screen — fast, lush and widely suitable. Murraya is better where fragrant flowers are the priority and the climate is warm and frost-free, and where it is not a declared weed.
Is Murraya a weed in Australia?
Murraya paniculata is treated as an environmental or declared weed in parts of Australia and can be restricted. Check your local council or state listings before planting it.
Which grows faster, Lilly Pilly or Murraya?
Lilly Pilly is generally the faster screen. Murraya grows moderately to fast in warm climates but slows in cooler conditions.
Is Murraya frost hardy?
No — Murraya is frost-tender and best in warm or subtropical gardens. In frost-prone areas a hardy Lilly Pilly variety is the safer choice.
Does Murraya get psyllid like Lilly Pilly?
Murraya does not get the Lilly Pilly pimple psyllid. Lilly Pilly psyllid is specific to some Syzygium types; choose a resistant Lilly Pilly variety to avoid it.
Which smells better?
Murraya, easily — its orange-blossom fragrance is its main appeal. Lilly Pilly flowers are modest and grown more for foliage than scent.
Can I grow Murraya in a cool climate?
It struggles and can be frost-damaged in cooler zones. Lilly Pilly has varieties suited to a far wider range of Australian climates.
Are both safe near pipes and paths?
Both have relatively well-behaved roots compared with figs. See our guide on whether Lilly Pilly roots are invasive for the detail.
