LOW-LIFE jealous thieves have stolen expensive imported plants from landscaper David Poulsen and he wants them back.

Nurseries say plant thefts are on the rise, with thieves making snatch and grabs for their own gardens or trying to make a quick buck.

Cairns council was forced to start using a mobile security camera in March to stop thieves after more than 150 plants were stolen and the botanic gardens and Mulgrave Rd and Sheridan St have also been hit.

Mr Poulsen, senior landscaper of Ocean’s Edge development, said about 15 plants, including two imported grass trees worth $750, were stolen on Thursday night from a display garden at Palm Cove.

He is furious about the time and money wasted and says the imported plants from Brisbane would probably die because of the shock to the roots.

"A few low lives have done this," Mr Poulsen said.

"People steal plants all the bloody time. Plants aren’t cheap. Grass trees are very difficult to grow."

Melsonrock Nursery’s Desiree Tenni said taxpayers were forking out thousands to constantly replace plants for the council’s gardens.

"It’s jealousy – they want what other people have got," she said.

"A lot of pensioner places get their pot plants stolen and others have roses pulled out of the grounds on Mother’s Day."

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