CONNIE CAO

Connie Cao is an urban permaculture gardener, author, presenter, photographer and digital content creator who has built a highly engaged community around growing food, flowers and sustainable living. Known online as @connieandluna, she creates educational and accessible content that encourages people to transform backyards, small spaces and container gardens into productive ecosystems.

Connie's passion for gardening began at an early age and was shaped by growing Asian vegetables with her father, an experience that inspired her long-standing interest in the connection between food, culture and community. Today, she is particularly known for helping Australians successfully grow Asian vegetables, herbs and fruits at home.

She’s the author of Your Asian Veggie Patch (Murdoch Books, 2024), a guide to growing and cooking Asian vegetables, herbs and fruits. The book was awarded the 2026 Horticultural Media Association Book Laurel, adding to a growing list of industry recognition that includes the 2026 HMAA Social Media Laurel, the 2026 HMAA Anita Boucher Award, and the 2026 Australian Institute of Horticulture Kim Morris Fellow's Award. Her work has also been recognised as a 2026 Better Homes & Gardens Creator Awards Finalist.

Connie regularly shares her expertise across television, radio, print and live events. Audiences may recognise her from appearances on ABC Australia, The Garden Hustle and The Bright Side, as well as presentations for The Diggers Club and Grow It Local. 

Connie holds a Bachelor of Laws (First Class Honours) and a Bachelor of Commerce (Marketing) from Monash University, alongside a Permaculture Design Certificate and a Diploma of Sustainable Living (Honours) from the University of Tasmania.

Her work celebrates the idea that growing food is an opportunity to learn from nature, share knowledge and create meaningful connections with the world around us.