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RARE MAINLAND AVAILABILITY: Highly aromatic Gondwana rainforest understorey species.

Sourced from our specialist Tasmanian network. Mainland stock is exceptionally limited — order while available.

Southern Sassafras (Atherosperma moschatum)

$39.95

Rare Tasmanian Sourcing

Dispatched from Mittagong, NSW. Live stock levels reflect current mainland availability.

Intensely Aromatic Foliage
Genuine Tasmanian Provenance
50–65cm at Time of Sale
Seed & Cutting Propagated Stock

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The Scent of the Ancient Gondwana Canopy

To plant a Southern Sassafras (Atherosperma moschatum) is to bring the authentic, spicy fragrance of the ancient Tasmanian rainforest into your own landscape. Exceptionally difficult to source on mainland Australia, our stock is cultivated by our specialist Tasmanian network using a resilient mix of seed and cutting propagation. Dispatched directly from our Mittagong staging hub, these established 140mm specimens offer rare access to one of the most iconic, shade-loving cool-climate feature trees in the country.

Rare mainland availability — one of the few reliable sources of Atherosperma moschatum outside of Tasmania

Famous for its intensely aromatic, nutmeg-scented foliage and bark

Produces striking, star-shaped white flowers during the depths of winter

Securely dispatched from our Mittagong, NSW staging hub to the Eastern States

At a Glance

Pot Size: 140mm
Est. Plant Height: 50–65cm total (measured from base of pot to tip of leader)
Mature Size: 6–25m tall (highly dependent on climate and canopy shelter)
Growth Habit: Conical, dense evergreen / Rainforest understorey
Style: Cool-climate feature / Sensory garden / Gondwana collector

APPROXIMATE ACTUAL PLANT SIZE: 50–65CM TOTAL HEIGHT (140MM POT)*
*Total height measured from the base of the pot to the tip of the leader. As these are actively growing rainforest specimens, exact sizes may vary slightly by season, but all represent established, vigorous stock ready for planting.

The Southern Sassafras (Atherosperma moschatum) is a cornerstone of the cool temperate rainforests of Tasmania and high-altitude Victoria, yet it remains remarkably elusive for mainland landscape designers and rare plant collectors. Known for its deeply serrated, glossy green leaves that release a sharp, spicy nutmeg fragrance when crushed, it is a tree that engages the senses as much as the eyes. Whether you are looking to buy a Southern Sassafras in Australia to anchor a shaded fernery, or you are building out an authentic Gondwana rainforest collection alongside Myrtle Beech and Huon Pine, our Tasmanian-grown stock guarantees premium genetics and cool-climate resilience.

Intensely Aromatic: The foliage, bark, and even the roots are heavily infused with a distinct, highly sought-after nutmeg and sassafras scent.
Winter Floral Display: Description: Defies the cold by producing an abundance of delicate, star-shaped, sweetly scented white flowers from June to September.
Rare Mainland Access: Cultivated by our specialist Tasmanian network and staged in Mittagong, bypassing the usual difficulty of sourcing this species in NSW or VIC.
Authentic Provenance: Grown from a robust mix of seed and cuttings, ensuring a diverse and vigorous genetic baseline for your landscape.

Complete Your Gondwana Rainforest

Collectors who secured the Southern Sassafras also planted these iconic cool-climate Tasmanian companions to complete the authentic understorey canopy.

Close-up of glossy green, sharply toothed leaves on a Southern Sassafras (Atherosperma moschatum) nursery starter. Buy Southern Sassafras Australia.

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Trusted by Gardeners Like You

★★★★★

"Finding Atherosperma moschatum on the mainland is almost impossible. The 140mm plants arrived in the Blue Mountains in immaculate condition, and the nutmeg scent from the foliage is incredible."

— Marcus T. — Rare Plant Collector, Leura (NSW)

★★★★★

"We used these as an understorey planting beneath established tree ferns. They arrived vigorous and deeply rooted. A brilliant, highly aromatic addition to a shaded cool-climate garden."

— Elena R. — Gardening Enthusiast, Dandenong Ranges (VIC)

★★★★★

"I've been looking to buy a Southern Sassafras tree for my Tasmanian rainforest project for months. SVF delivered exactly what was promised. The plants were around 60cm tall and exceptionally healthy."

— David L. — Keen Gardener, Armidale (NSW)

Is the Southern Sassafras difficult to grow on the mainland?

It is not difficult, provided you respect its natural rainforest origins. It demands a cool root run, consistent moisture, and protection from harsh, direct afternoon sun. It will thrive in the dappled shade of the Dandenong Ranges, the Blue Mountains, the Southern Highlands, and similar cool-climate zones, but it will not survive in hot, dry, or exposed coastal environments.

Why is it so hard to find Atherosperma moschatum for sale in Australia?

It is a slow-growing specialist species that requires cool, high-humidity nursery conditions to propagate successfully—conditions that most commercial mainland nurseries cannot replicate cost-effectively. We bypass this by sourcing directly from our dedicated Tasmanian network, allowing mainland collectors rare access to authentic stock.

Can you supply bulk quantities for large landscape or rainforest projects?

Yes. Because of our direct integration with specialist Tasmanian growers, we have the unique capacity to source larger volumes of Southern Sassafras and companion cool-climate species. For mainland customers, we coordinate custom plant freight. For Tasmanian customers, we can arrange direct local supply, completely bypassing interstate quarantine requirements. Please contact us directly with your project details to discuss availability.

Are these grown from seed or cuttings?

Our supply is a robust mix of both seed-grown and cutting-propagated stock. Both methods produce incredibly resilient, genetically sound trees that display the classic conical habit and aromatic properties the species is famous for.

How fast does it grow?

In cultivation, it is a moderate-to-slow grower. While it can reach towering heights in the wild Tasmanian canopy, in a domestic garden setting, it typically forms a highly manageable, dense conical tree of around 6 to 10 metres over several decades.

Detailed Description and Specs

The Southern Sassafras (Atherosperma moschatum) is an evergreen tree native to the cool temperate rainforests of Tasmania, Victoria, and high-altitude pockets of New South Wales. It is an integral part of the Gondwana rainforest ecosystem, frequently found growing in the sheltered understorey beneath ancient Myrtle Beech and towering Eucalypts.

Its most famous attribute is its scent. Every part of the tree—the bark, the sap, and especially the deeply serrated, glossy green leaves—emits a strong, spicy fragrance heavily reminiscent of nutmeg, cinnamon, and traditional sassafras. Beyond its aromatic foliage, it is highly prized for its winter floral display, producing masses of delicate, sweetly scented, star-shaped white flowers from June through to September when little else in the garden is blooming.

Here’s why we think you’ll love the Southern Sassafras:

Species: Atherosperma moschatum
Provenance: Premium Tasmanian network (mix of seed and cutting stock).
Foliage: Glossy, dark green leaves with sharply toothed margins and a pale underside. Intensely aromatic when brushed or crushed.
Flowers: Small, solitary, star-shaped white flowers with purplish-red centres that bloom in winter.
Bark: Smooth and pale grey, highly aromatic.
Best For: Shaded ferneries, Gondwana rainforest collections, and sensory cool-climate gardens.

Care and Planting Guide

The Southern Sassafras is a true rainforest understorey species. Replicating its natural environment is the key to successfully establishing it in a domestic landscape.

Sunlight & Location: It requires dappled shade or morning sun with strict protection from harsh afternoon heat. It thrives under the canopy of larger, established trees. It is highly suited to cool, temperate, and alpine climates.
Soil & Drainage: Demands deep, rich, friable loams with high organic matter. The soil must be exceptionally well-draining but capable of retaining moisture. Amend heavy clay soils heavily with composted organics before planting.
Watering: It has very low drought tolerance. The root zone must be kept consistently moist (but not waterlogged) year-round. A thick layer of organic mulch is non-negotiable to keep the roots cool and lock in moisture during summer.
Pruning: Naturally maintains a neat, dense, conical shape. Pruning is rarely necessary except to remove damaged branches or to lightly shape the canopy.

Shipping and Delivery

Eastern States (NSW, ACT, VIC, QLD, SA)
Eligible for standard shipping via our secure specialist plant freight network. Dispatched directly from our Mittagong, NSW staging hub, bypassing the usual difficulties of sourcing this species on the mainland.

Bulk & Landscape Orders
For landscape architects and estate managers requiring larger volumes of Southern Sassafras or mixed Tasmanian understorey species, we can coordinate direct mainland supply from our Tasmanian network. Please contact us to discuss your project scale and request a custom freight quote.

Tasmania (TAS)
Because our Southern Sassafras stock is grown by our specialist Tasmanian network, local Tasmanian customers benefit from direct island supply. This entirely bypasses Bass Strait quarantine and biosecurity treatment requirements. Please contact us to arrange local delivery or bulk supply directly from our growers.

Western Australia & Northern Territory (WA & NT)
Shipping to WA and NT is subject to interstate biosecurity requirements for this species. Please contact us before ordering to confirm availability for your destination.

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