Gina Field, founder of Nepean Regional Security and operational security expert, recently spoke with Curtin Radio about an unexpected crime trend affecting Australian homeowners: plant theft. What began as isolated incidents has evolved into a widespread issue, with Gina’s company receiving increasing requests for home security camera installations specifically to combat plant thieves over the past six months.
During the interview, Gina explained that valuable plant varieties are being systematically targeted across the country. Expensive specimens including monstera plants, magnolia grandiflora (teddy bear plants) valued up to $1,000, maple trees, olive trees, and citrus plants like lemons and limes are disappearing from front gardens. The perpetrators aren’t organised criminal gangs, but rather opportunistic individuals including dog walkers, joggers, delivery drivers, and even neighbours from nearby streets. These stolen plants are often resold through online marketplaces like Gumtree, with an observable increase in plant listings on these platforms.
Gina highlighted several concerning aspects of this trend. Many homeowners hesitate to report plant theft to police because it seems trivial, yet these plants often hold significant sentimental value—planted to commemorate births, honour deceased loved ones, or mark special occasions. Additionally, modern landscaping represents substantial financial investment that directly impacts property values. The thefts typically occur during early morning hours or late at night, with incidents increasing during winter months when homeowners relocate plants from backyards to sunnier front positions. Properties in cul-de-sacs and low-traffic areas prove more susceptible than those on busy streets.
To combat plant theft, Gina recommends several practical security measures. Homeowners should use heavy, distinctive pots with identification markings including contact details on the bottom, secure plants with bike chains and locks, install hanging brackets from hardware stores, and photograph valuable plants for insurance documentation. While security cameras, ring doorbells, and motion sensor lights provide deterrence and evidence, Gina notes that many thieves show little concern about being filmed. She also suggests investigating whether home insurance policies can be extended to cover landscaping, and emphasises that the true challenge lies in accurate crime statistics, as plant thefts are typically recorded under general “household theft” categories rather than being tracked separately.
