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buy swan plant nz

Looking to buy swan plant NZ gardeners trust for attracting butterflies and adding unique charm to your garden? You’re in the right spot. The swan plant, known botanically as Asclepias physocarpa, is a favourite among New Zealanders looking to support monarch butterflies and create an enchanting, wildlife-friendly space. With its distinctive balloon-like seed pods and lush foliage, this plant not only stands out in any landscape but also provides vital food for hungry monarch caterpillars. Whether you’re an experienced butterfly gardener or just beginning your journey, adding a swan plant to your garden is a rewarding way to enjoy nature’s cycle right at home.

Metrosideros excelsa (Pohutukawa) specimen tree with masses of red flowers in a coastal location.

Metrosideros excelsa (Pōhutukawa)

5 from 2 customers

Metrosideros excelsa, commonly known as Pōhutukawa or the New Zealand Christmas Tree, is a coastal evergreen renowned for its brilliant red flowers that bloom in early summer. Growing up to 20 metres tall, it features gnarled branches and leathery, silver-green leaves.

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate
Plant type: Trees
Height: 15.00 m
Spread: 11.50 m
Flowering time: Summer
Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy, Wind
Garden uses: Parks, Ponds, Screening, Specimen
Garden styles: Coastal, Japanese, Native
A strong and studry planting spade.

Ace1 Planting Spade

5 from 4 customers

The Ace 1 planting spade is a must for any gardener. This spade is designed so it can penetrate the ground easily without jarring the wrists in the process. The handle grip is over-moulded with thermoplastic rubber for ultimate grip, comfort, and durability. This mould will not break down with UV and is non-slip in both wet and dry conditions.

White flowers on a Cistus 'Snowmound' plant with green foliage.
Cistus 'Snowmound' (White Rock Rose Plant)

Cistus 'Snowmound' is a compact evergreen shrub that produces a breathtaking display of pure white flowers with golden-yellow centres from late...

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Libertia grandiflora plant with elegant white flowers and lush, dark green foliage.
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...

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10 Litre Thermoformed Plant Pots

These lightweight pots are a cost effective means for growing on plants. They feature a strong and broad rim, have been UV stabilised for NZ...

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Zamioculcas 'Black Knight' (ZZ ZZ Plant)

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Clianthus puniceus (Parrot Beak Plant)

Clianthus puniceus (Kakabeak) is a spectacular New Zealand native shrub renowned for its striking clusters of brilliant red, beak shaped flowers that...

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Kniphofia 'Border Ballet' plants in a cottage garden featuring orange flowers and lush green foliage.
Kniphofia 'Border Ballet' (Hot Poker Plant)

Kniphofia 'Border Ballet' is a variety of the commonly known Red Hot Poker, and is grown for its colourful flowers. Stems rise above the foliage...

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Sedum rubrotinctum (Jelly Bean Plant) bright red foliage.
Sedum rubrotinctum (Jelly Bean Plant)

Sedum rubrotinctum, commonly known as Jelly Bean Plant or Pork and Beans Plant, is a compact, low-growing succulent reaching 15–20 cm tall and...

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Agave americana 'Variegata' (Variegated Century Plant)

Agave americana 'Variegata' is a striking evergreen succulent valued for its bold architectural form and strongly variegated foliage. It forms a...

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Native Plant Fertiliser

Native Plant Fertiliser is specially formulated to support healthy growth in a wide range of NZ native plants. It provides balanced nutrition to...

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Indoor Plant Fertiliser

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5 Litre Plant Pots

5 Litre Plant Pots are a practical choice for growing larger shrubs, perennials, grasses, herbs, and young trees. They provide generous root space to...

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0.5 Litre Plant Pots

0.5 Litre Plant Pots are a practical choice for growing young plants, herbs, seedlings, and smaller ornamentals. Their compact size makes them ideal...

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Moss Pole For Plants (Moss Pole For Plants)

These moss poles for plants are made from Coir Fibre (i.e., the husks of coconuts). They are an eco-friendly option to help plants grow healthier and...

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Indoor Plant Fertiliser Tablets

Indoor plants require feeding from the time you get them home as nurseries typically only put enough fertiliser in the pots to last 4-8 weeks after...

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2.5 Litre Plant Pots

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1.5 Litre Plant Pots

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3.5 Litre Plant Pots

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Fertiliser for acid loving plants

Fertiliser for acid loving plants provides targeted nutrition for plants that perform best in acidic soil conditions. It helps support healthy...

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Waterproof Paper Plant Tags

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Plant Watering Bottle

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Asclepias fruticosa lush foliage with a green ball.
Asclepias fruticosa

Swan Plant, botanically known as Asclepias fruticosa, is a popular perennial shrub in New Zealand, best loved for its role as a host plant for...

OUT OF STOCK
Gomphocarpus physocarpus plant in a garden against a black fence.
Gomphocarpus physocarpus (Balloon Plant)

Gomphocarpus physocarpus, commonly known as the Swan Plant or Hairy Balls Plant, is an upright shrub growing to about 1.5 m tall and 60 cm wide. It...

OUT OF STOCK
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Anemone 'Elfin Swan'

Anemone 'Elfin Swan' is a compact herbaceous perennial admired for its elegant white flowers with soft lavender blue backs that bloom from late...

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Iris 'Swans In Flight'

Iris 'Swans In Flight' is an elegant flowering iris that brings graceful form and beautiful seasonal colour to NZ gardens. Its refined blooms stand...

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Asclepias physocarpa plant with green balls and a monarch butterfly caterpillar.
Asclepias physocarpa (Swan Plant)

Asclepias physocarpa, commonly known as Hairy Balls, is a unique perennial shrub best known as a host plant for Monarch butterflies. Its balloon...

OUT OF STOCK
Euphorbia Silver Swan plant.
Euphorbia 'Silver Swan' (Cypress Spurge Plant)

Euphorbia 'Silver Swan' is a striking evergreen perennial admired for its elegant silver and green variegated foliage and lime green flower bracts...

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Anemone 'Dreaming Swan'

Anemone 'Dreaming Swan' is an elegant perennial prized for its large white flowers with soft lavender blue reverses that bloom continuously from late...

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Anemone 'Dainty Swan' (Chinese Anemone Plant)

Anemone 'Dainty Swan' is an elegant perennial admired for its graceful white flowers with soft lilac blue backs that bloom from late spring through...

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Echinacea White Swan flowers.
Echinacea 'White Swan'

Echinacea 'White Swan' (White Coneflower) is a beautiful perennial admired for its large white daisy flowers with golden copper centres that bloom...

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Camellia 'Swan Lake'

Camellia 'Swan Lake' is an elegant evergreen shrub known for its beautiful white blooms that bring a refined and timeless look to New Zealand...

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Metrosideros excelsa (Pōhutukawa)

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You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Agave, Cistus, and Clianthus, or related Categories - Plant pots, Spades, and Flaxes.

Search buy swan plant nz

Why Grow Swan Plant in New Zealand?

Swan plant thrives in our climate, offering easy care and prolific growth through the warmer months. Its fascinating green seed pods and delicate white flowers are equally ornamental and practical. Most importantly, if you want to encourage monarch populations, planting swan plants is essential, as it is their primary food source during the caterpillar stage. Monarch butterflies lay their eggs on the leaves, while the plant’s latex helps protect the young insects from predators. Choosing to buy swan plant NZ wide supports your local ecosystem and ensures you get genuine, hardy plants that will flourish in your conditions.

How to Care for Your Swan Plant

Swan plants are remarkably low maintenance. Plant them in full sun and well-drained soil for best results. They prefer a warm, sheltered spot away from cold, drying winds. Water deeply during dry spells, but avoid waterlogging the roots. If you’re introducing swan plants for the first time, you might notice how quickly monarch caterpillars arrive—sometimes consuming an impressive quantity of leaves. Keep an eye out for aphids too, and simply spray with a gentle stream of water to keep pests at bay. Leave some chrysalises undisturbed so you can enjoy the emergence of adult butterflies.

Companion Plants for a Beautiful Garden

When you buy swan plant NZ gardeners often ask what to pair it with. Consider combining your swan plant with stunning perennials and shrubs that complement its bold presence. Some excellent choices include Euphorbia Silver Swan, which dazzles with its silvery foliage and upright habit, or the dreamy Anemone Elfin Swan and Anemone Dreaming Swan for a splash of white and purple blooms. Alternatively, the elegant Echinacea White Swan (E purpurea) offers beautiful daisy-like flowers and attracts beneficial pollinators to your garden, perfectly complementing the swan plant’s butterfly-friendly qualities.

Where to Buy Swan Plant NZ Wide

Ready to get started? We offer quality-grown Asclepias physocarpa (Swan Plant) for nationwide delivery. Every plant is cultivated in New Zealand conditions, ensuring robust growth and great success in your garden. Order today and support monarch butterflies while enhancing your outdoor space with one of our most beloved native icons. With our range of complementary plants and expert advice, growing a gorgeous, butterfly-friendly garden has never been easier.


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.

Our garden favourites Griselinia 'Ardmore Emerald' and Buxus sempervirens 'Silver Beauty' (Silver Boxwood) get lots of love, but don’t miss out on a few lesser-known delights: Buddleia 'Lochinch', Ligustrum 'Rotundifolium', and Libertia grandiflora (NZ Iris).
–The Plant Company

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