Call us: 0800 843 752Free shipping for orders $150 or over
Gift Vouchers

astelia silver spear nz

Astelia 'Silver Spear', known to gardeners in New Zealand as Kakaha, is a striking foliage plant recognised for its dazzling silvery leaves and architectural form. Favoured for both contemporary and native gardens, the astelia silver spear nz combines resilience with beauty, thriving in a range of conditions from shaded borders to sunny coastal gardens. If you're searching for a plant that delivers year-round texture and a touch of silvery glamour, Astelia 'Silver Spear' stands out as a top choice. Whether planted en masse or as a specimen feature, this NZ-native adds immediate impact to landscaping projects.

Astelia 'Silver Spear'

Astelia 'Silver Spear', commonly known as Kakaha) features striking silver foliage that is held in a gentle arch. It typically grows to 1.5 m tall and the same wide, performing best when planted in full sun on a well-drained site. Astelia 'Silver Spear' is great for providing a striking display with its stout nature and bold colouring.

Astelia Silver Spear plant with beautiful silver foliage.
  • Suited to regions:
    All regions
  • Plant type:
    Flaxes
  • Height:
    1.50 m
  • Spread:
    1.50 m
  • Flowering time:
    Spring
  • Tolerances:
    Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy, Wind
  • Garden uses:
    Parks, Ponds, Specimen
  • Garden styles:
    Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Mediterranean, Modern, Native, Riparian
Large Astelia banksii with cascading green leaves.
Most Popular Astelia banksii (Wharawhara)

Astelia banksii, commonly known as Wharawhara or Shore Astelia, is a striking New Zealand native plant celebrated for its silver-grey, strap-like...

CUSTOM QUOTE
Large Astelia chathamica in a garden with silver flax-like leaves.
Most Popular Astelia chathamica (Chatham Island Astelia)

Astelia chathamica, commonly known as the Chatham Island Astelia or Kakaha, produces broad, erect, silver-green leaves. The leaves are held with a...

CUSTOM QUOTE
Astelia fragrans (Bush Flax) plant with lush green foliage growing beside a track.
Most Popular Astelia fragrans (Bush Flax)

Astelia fragrans, commonly known as Bush Flax or Kakaha, is a hardy, clump-forming native plant of New Zealand. It features long, arching green...

CUSTOM QUOTE
A large Astelia nervosa (Mountain Astelia) plant with colourful foliage in a semi-shaded spot.
Most Popular Astelia nervosa (Mountain Astelia)

Astelia nervosa, or Mountain Astelia, is a striking New Zealand native valued for its colourful, sword-like foliage. The leaves range from...

CUSTOM QUOTE
Fantastic red and grey flax-like foliage on a large Astelia Westland plant.
Most Popular Astelia 'Westland'

Astelia 'Westland' features striking and colourful fronds with the new fronds emerging a red-bronze colour and aging to become silver-green. It has a...

CUSTOM QUOTE
Libertia grandiflora plant with elegant white flowers and lush, dark green foliage.
Most Popular Libertia grandiflora (NZ Iris)

Libertia grandiflora, commonly known as NZ Iris, is a hardy New Zealand native perennial admired for its elegant white flowers and sword like green...

From$16.50
Phormium 'Emerald Gem' in a native garden.
Most Popular Phormium 'Emerald Gem'

Phormium 'Emerald Gem' is a dwarf variety of Mountain Flax or Wharariki. It produces emerald-green leaves and grows to 60 cm tall and 70 cm wide in...

From$8.50
Dianella tasmanica (Tasman Flax Lily) plants with green foliage and blue flowers.
Most Popular Dianella tasmanica

Dianella tasmanica, commonly known as the Tasman Flax Lily, produces upright, strap-like leaves which are a rich, dark green and have a lush...

From$19.25
Phormium 'Emerald Green' plants in a mixed planting.
Most Popular Phormium 'Emerald Green'

Phormium 'Emerald Green' is a compact New Zealand flax valued for its rich emerald green foliage and tidy growth habit. This hardy evergreen provides...

From$14.95
dianella-revoluta-kentlyn--2
Most Popular Dianella 'Kentlyn'

Dianella 'Kentlyn' is a hardy evergreen flax lily valued for its graceful arching blue green foliage that provides year round colour and texture...

From$16.49
Astelia 'Silver Spear'

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring Astelia or Flaxes. Alternatively, forage through similar ideas like Astelia chathamica NZ, and astelia chathamica silver spear.

Search Astelia 'Silver Spear'

What Makes Astelia 'Silver Spear' Special?

Astelia 'Silver Spear' is prized for its robust silver-grey foliage, which forms elegant clumps and creates an eye-catching, sculptural effect in gardens throughout New Zealand. It tolerates wind, salt, and moderate frost, making it ideal for coastal properties or exposed sites. The leaves also bring a subtle shine in winter months, keeping your garden lively even through the cooler seasons. With Kakaha being relatively low-care, it requires only occasional tidy-ups and benefits from well-drained soil.

Ideal Garden Uses

The astelia silver spear nz is exceptionally versatile. Use it to anchor mixed borders, add drama to native gardens, or create contrast alongside darker plants. Its architectural foliage pairs beautifully with ornamental grasses, flaxes, and other NZ natives. Plant Astelia 'Silver Spear' as a statement specimen in containers, or combine several as a low-maintenance groundcover for textural interest.

Looking for complementary plants? Consider mixing with Astelia chathamica (Chatham Island Astelia), whose broad silver-green leaves harmonise well in large garden spaces, or Phormium 'Wildwood' (Wildwood Flax) for added upright form. For a bronze touch, Astelia 'Frosted Bronze' is another stunning option.

Plant Care and Tips

Kakaha flourishes best in filtered light or partial shade but adapts to full sun in milder climates. Choose a spot with good drainage and mulch to retain moisture, especially during dry spells. In windy gardens, its tough foliage stands up well, making it a favourite for coastal locations across NZ. Fertilise once per year and remove spent leaves to keep clumps tidy. While Astelia 'Silver Spear' is hardy, it appreciates shelter from severe frost.

Love the look of astelias? Explore other striking varieties like Astelia banksii (Wharawhara), Astelia 'Silver Shadow', and Astelia 'Rebel' for different foliage colours and shapes. Pair with NZ natives such as Dianella 'Sea Spray' for a softer texture, or experiment with flaxes like Phormium 'Chocomint' and Phormium 'Yellow Wave' for extra colour.

Why Choose Astelia Silver Spear NZ?

For contemporary Kiwi gardens, astelia silver spear nz is a reliable choice that delivers bold texture and silvery tones year-round. Its tolerance to coastal and urban conditions, combined with minimal maintenance, makes it a go-to species for landscape designers and home gardeners alike. Enhance your garden with this enduring NZ native and experience the beauty and versatility of Astelia 'Silver Spear'.


Contact us

Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.

You know Ficus 'Black Knight' and Lomandra Little Con, but have you met Selliera radicans (Remuremu), Cercis canadensis Texas White, and Prunus Kanzan? These beauties are worth a closer look.
–The Plant Company

Explore Garden Inspiration

Sign up to receive a free $10 Voucher You won’t be bombarded with emails, just titbits of quality information from time to time Sign up
Free shipping on orders over $150!

Join our community of happy customers.

4.8

445 Google reviews