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black flax

Black flax is a distinctive and dramatic perennial native to New Zealand, prized by gardeners for its rich, near-black foliage that brings stunning contrast and bold architectural structure to plantings. Whether used as a statement feature in contemporary landscapes or to add evergreen texture to mixed borders, black flax offers year-round impact with its upright, sword-like leaves and resilience in a variety of garden settings. Its adaptability to coastal gardens, resilience to wind and salt spray, and natural disease resistance make black flax a favourite choice for New Zealand gardens and landscaping projects, both large and small.

Phormium tenax plant in a garden with green foliage.

Phormium tenax

5 from 2 customers

Phormium tenax, commonly known as the NZ flax or Harakeke, is a flax plant that produces erect, green, sword-like leaves. Stems rise above the foliage in summer to bear twisted-looking flowers that result in black seed pods in autumn, and the nectar produced by the flowers attracts both birds and butterflies. Harakeke grows as a clump to about 2 m tall and the same wide, performing best when planted in full sun on a well-drained site. It is a popular landscape option that is also often used to contrast with other plant colours. Mass planting on a bank not only provides an outstanding display but is also excellent for helping to stabilise the soil.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Flaxes
Height: 2.00 m
Spread: 2.00 m
Flowering time: Summer
Tolerances: Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy, Wet, Wind
Garden uses: Banks, Living areas, Parks, Ponds, Pool areas, Specimen
Garden styles: Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern, Native, Riparian
Large Black Rage Phormium in a garden with black foliage.

Phormium 'Black Rage'

5 from 2 customers

Phormium 'Black Rage' is a striking New Zealand native flax known for its bold, upright leaves in deep shades of dark purple to near black. This dramatic and architectural plant adds instant impact to gardens, providing colour contrast and strong vertical form. Hardy and versatile, it thrives in a range of NZ conditions, from coastal to urban settings. Phormium 'Black Rage' is the perfect choice for gardeners wanting a low maintenance yet eye catching feature.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Flaxes
Height: 80 cm
Spread: 80 cm
Flowering time: Summer
Tolerances: Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy, Wet, Wind
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Parks, Paths & Steps, Ponds, Pool areas, Specimen
Garden styles: Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern, Native, Riparian
Phormium 'Surfer Bronze' plants for sale at The Plant Company nursery.

Phormium 'Surfer Bronze'

Phormium 'Surfer Bronze' is a compact and stylish New Zealand native flax with narrow, upright leaves in rich bronze tones. This striking ornamental...

From$18.23
Phormium 'Jack Spratt' plants for sale at The Plant Company nursery.

Phormium 'Jack Spratt'

Phormium 'Jack Spratt' is one of the smallest New Zealand native flax varieties, admired for its narrow, upright leaves in rich bronze to dark...

From$18.23
A large Phormium 'Jester' plant with colourful foliage.

Phormium 'Jester'

Phormium 'Jester' is a showy variety of Flax that produces leaves that are striped with a broad, pink central band and a dark purple border. This...

From$20.93
Phormium 'Surfer' plants in pots for sale at The Plant Company nursery.

Phormium 'Surfer'

Phormium 'Surfer' is a compact New Zealand native flax admired for its striking green leaves edged with bronze and red tones. Its upright, arching...

From$18.23
Phormium 'Emerald Gem' in a native garden.

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$18.23
A large Phormium 'Dark Delight' plant with elegant, purple foliage.

Phormium 'Dark Delight'

Phormium 'Dark Delight', also known as Dark Purple Flax, is a bold New Zealand native flax prized for its broad, upright leaves in deep purple to...

From$20.93

Phormium cookianum

Phormium cookianum, commonly known as Mountain Flax or Wharariki, is a graceful New Zealand native valued for its arching green leaves and tall...

From$17.48
Phormium 'Rainbow Red' red and purple striped foliage.

Phormium 'Rainbow Red'

Phormium 'Rainbow Red' is a vibrant New Zealand native flax admired for its bold, arching leaves in shades of bronze, red, and pink. This striking...

From$117.09
Phormium 'Green Dwarf' flax plant in a native garden with Oioi plants.

Phormium 'Green Dwarf'

Phormium 'Green Dwarf', also known as Dwarf Green Flax, is a compact, tidy New Zealand flax cultivar with lush, bright green, strap-like leaves. It...

From$16.13
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Phormium 'Stripy Mist'

Phormium Stripy Mist is a popular NZ native dwarf flax that features striking green leaves with a chocolate brown centre. It grows as a very tidy...

From$20.93
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Tiarella Neon Lights

Tiarella Neon Lights is an herbaceous perennial grown for both its foliage and flowers. It grows as a clump, producing large leaves that are...

From$24.23
Ophiopogon planiscapus nigrescens (Black Mondo) plants with lush, black foliage.

Ophiopogon japonicus nigrescens

Ophiopogon japonicus nigrescens, commonly known as Black Mondo Grass, is a clump-forming plant with fine, near black foliage. The foliage is...

From$8.78
weedmat-50-m-roll-

Weedmat (Weedmat 1.83 m wide x 50 m roll )

Our black polypropylene Weedmat provides long-term and superior weed suppression. It has been UV stabilised for NZ conditions and allows water to...

From$242.00
Hebe 'Black Satin' plant with dark foliage and pink flowers.

Hebe Black Satin

Hebe Black Satin is a popular variety of Hebe due to both its colourful foliage and flowers. It grows as a rounded shrub carrying glossy, dark purple...

From$25.58
Canna 'Tropicanna Black' in a garden with red flowers and dark foliage.

Canna 'Tropicanna Black'

Camellia 'Twilight' is a stunning evergreen shrub admired for its soft pink to blush toned flowers and glossy green foliage. It brings elegant winter...

From$22.88
Large Phyllostachys nigra (Black Bamboo) plants growing in clumps beside a path.

Phyllostachys nigra

Phyllostachys nigra, commonly known as Black Bamboo, is one of the more elegant and interesting bamboo varieties. It features erect, black stems that...

From$759.69
heuchera-northern-exposure-black--1

Heuchera Northern Exposure Black (Coral Bells)

Heuchera Northern Exposure Black is an herbaceous perennial grown for its richly coloured foliage. The leaves are deep purple-black, wavy, and...

From$21.53
Sansevieria 'Black Coral' plants growing in pots.

Sansevieria Black Coral

Sansevieria Black Coral is a variety of the commonly known, Variegated Snake Plant or Mother in Law’s Tongue, and is a very popular indoor plant. It...

From$37.73
Dianella tasmanica (Tasman Flax Lily) plants with green foliage and blue flowers.

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$18.83
Ribes 'Black Magnus' black currant shrub with lustrous black berries.

Ribes 'Black Magnus'

Ribes 'Black Magnus' is a vigorous and productive black currant variety prized in NZ gardens for its rich flavoured berries and strong cropping...

From$29.63
pittosporum-irish-luck-

Pittosporum 'Irish Luck' (Black Matipo)

Pittosporum 'Irish Luck' is a hardy evergreen shrub known for its dense, bright green foliage and tidy growth habit. This versatile plant is well...

From$21.53
dianella-revoluta-kentlyn--2

Dianella Kentlyn

Dianella Kentlyn is a variety of the commonly known, Flax Lily, produces upright, strap-like leaves which are a rich, dark green with a blue...

From$16.13
Ficus Black Knight growing in a pot with lush, dark foliage.

Ficus Black Knight

Ficus ‘Black Knight’ is a striking indoor plant characterised by its large, glossy leaves, which range from deep green to nearly black tones. This...

From$36.38
Coprosma 'Black Cloud' shrub in a garden with black and green foliage.

Coprosma 'Black Cloud' (Black Coprosma)

Coprosma 'Black Cloud' is a striking evergreen shrub valued for its deep near black foliage and compact growth habit. Well suited to New Zealand...

From$21.53
dianella-caerulea-goddess-

Dianella Goddess

Dianella Goddess is a variety of the commonly known, NZ Flax Lily, and produces upright, strap-like leaves which are a rich, dark green with a blue...

From$20.18
Stunning Wisteria 'Black Dragon' purple and pink flowers.

Wisteria Black Dragon

Wisteria ‘Black Dragon’ is a spectacular flowering climber renowned for its double deep violet purple flowers that hang in dramatic cascading...

From$26.93
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2m wide Black Polythene

This polythene is 80 microns thick, very durable, and suits a host of different uses. Please enquire about larger sizes and heavier grades.

From$254.60
black-polythene-1-m-wide-

1m wide Black Polythene

This polythene is 80 microns thick, very durable, and suits a host of different uses. Please enquire about larger sizes and heavier grades.

From$138.40
Black Doris' plums.

Plum Black Doris

The 'Black Doris' Plum is a popular variety that produces large and firm, purple-black fruit. The flesh is dark red, sweet, and juicy. White blossoms...

From$299.92
Camellia 'Black Magic' red flower.

Camellia Black Magic

Camellia 'Black Magic' is a dramatic evergreen shrub known for its deep red, almost black blooms and glossy green foliage. It delivers striking...

From$37.73
Phormium tenax

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Camellia, Canna, Coprosma, Dianella, Ficus, Hebe, Heuchera, Ophiopogon, Phormium, Phyllostachys, Pittosporum, Plum, Ribes, Sansevieria Tiarella and Wisteria, or related Categories - Black polythene, Weedmat, Currants, Deciduous Climbers, Flaxes, Plum Trees, Mondo Grass, Groundcover Plants, Indoor Plants Perennials and Evergreen Shrubs.

Search black flax

What is Black Flax?

Black flax refers to a collection of darker-leaved cultivars from the Phormium genus, especially Phormium tenax and its hybrids, which are commonly known as New Zealand flax. These cultivars are bred for their deep, almost black foliage, bringing a modern twist to a classic native plant. Black flax varieties typically grow in clumps, with foliage ranging from glossy, jet-black to deep burgundy shades, and most will produce tall flower spikes in summer that attract native bellbirds and tui.

Popular Black Flax Varieties

Several cultivated forms of black flax are available for New Zealand gardeners:

All these varieties are derived from or related to the classic Phormium tenax, the iconic New Zealand flax from which many striking cultivars have been developed.

How to Grow and Use Black Flax

Black flax thrives in full sun to part shade and tolerates a wide range of soil types, from sandy coastal soils to heavy clay, provided drainage is reasonable. In landscaping, black flax shines as an architectural accent, in mass plantings for texture, or as a low-maintenance, drought-tolerant specimen in native and modern gardens alike. For smaller spaces, dwarf cultivars offer versatile options for pots and borders.

Care Tips

Why Choose Black Flax for Your Garden?

Choosing black flax allows you to create year-round structure, bold foliage contrast, and habitat for birds in your garden. With a range of cultivars such as Phormium 'Black Magic', Phormium 'Platts Black', Phormium 'Black Pepe' (Dwarf Black Flax), and Phormium 'Black Rage', there's a black flax to suit every style and scale of garden, bringing a touch of New Zealand's natural beauty to your landscape.


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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.

It’s easy to pick Agapanthus 'Gayles Lilac' and Chamaemelum nobile (Chamomile), but garden variety is all about adding surprises like Correa 'Dusky Bells', Ginkgo Jade Butterflies, and Cedrus atlantica.
–The Plant Company

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