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common flax

Common flax, also known by its Maori name harakeke, is one of New Zealand’s most celebrated native plants. Known scientifically as Phormium tenax, this distinctive flax has long, sword-shaped leaves and striking flower spikes that make it a feature plant in gardens, landscaping, and natural reserves across the country. Not only is common flax admired for its architectural foliage and resilience, but it's also appreciated for its ecological importance and traditional uses among Maori communities. Gardeners searching for a reliable, hardy option for low-maintenance landscapes will find that common flax stands out with its year-round structure and adaptability.

Phormium tenax plant in a garden with green foliage.

Phormium tenax

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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
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 undertone. Flower stems rise above the foliage through spring to bear masses of delicate, blue flowers which result in blue berries. It grows to 60 cm tall and 40 cm wide in full sun or partial shade. Dianella Kentlyn is commonly mass planted either as a groundcover or on a bank, included in borders or mixed plantings, planted around the base of large trees, grown around water features such as streams and ponds, or included in cottage gardens. This is a popular plant.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Flaxes
Height: 60 cm
Spread: 40 cm
Flowering time: Spring
Tolerances: Extended dry periods, Wet
Garden uses: Banks, Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Ponds, Pool areas
Garden styles: Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Cottage, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern
phormium-chocomint--2

Phormium 'Chocomint'

Phormium Chocomint is a popular variety of Flax owing to its colourful foliage which brown with green stripes. It grows to 1 m tall and wide in full...

From$24.23
A large Phormium 'Evening Glow' plant in a garden.

Phormium 'Evening Glow'

Phormium 'Evening Glow' is a variety of Flax that produces long and broad, sword-like leaves that are coloured various shades of pink and red with a...

From$20.93
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
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$24.23

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
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Phormium 'Pink Panther'

Phormium Pink Panther produces long, sword like leaves that are candy pink with red-bronze margins. This Flax typically grows to 1.2 m tall and the...

From$20.93
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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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Phormium 'Veneer'

Phormium Veneer is a colourful and very popular NZ native flax that features striking orange and brown stripes. It grows as a very tidy clump to...

From$20.18
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Phormium 'Pepe' (Dwarf Flax)

Phormium Pepe is a smaller variety of Flax that produces narrow and sword-like, bright green leaves. It typically grows to just 45 cm tall and the...

From$20.93
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
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Phormium 'Velvet Underground'

Phormium Velvet Underground is a colourful NZ native flax that features striking grey foliage with pink stripes. It grows as a very tidy clump to...

From$20.93
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
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
A mass planting of Dianella caerulea 'Little Jess' plants with lush, green foliage.

Dianella 'Little Jess'

Dianella 'Little Jess' is a variety of NZ Flax Lily that bears spikes carrying delicate, blue flowers in spring above lush, mid-green leaves. Small...

From$18.83
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
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$16.13
Phormium 'Black Pepe' dwarf flax plant.

Phormium 'Black Pepe' (Dwarf Black Flax)

Phormium 'Black Pepe' is a dwarf Flax variety that produces black leaves with a purple overtone. It grows to 60 cm tall and the same wide in full sun...

From$17.48
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Dianella Blaze

Dianella Blaze features broad and gently arching, bronze-purple leaves that are very showy. It typically grows to 70 cm tall and the same wide...

From$16.13
Dianella revoluta 'Little Rev' plants in a garden.

Dianella 'Little Rev'

Dianella 'Little Rev' is a compact, clump-forming evergreen known for its striking blue-grey foliage and architectural form. This Blue Flax-Lily...

From$20.18
Dianella Revelation plants growing in a garden.

Dianella 'Revelation'

Dianella 'Revelation' features flower stems that rise above the foliage through spring and summer to bear masses of delicate, blue flowers, which...

From$16.13
Sempervivum tectorum plants with dark pink flowers.

Sempervivum tectorum

Sempervivum tectorum, commonly known as Common Houseleek, grows as a mat of fleshy rosettes with leaves that are typically green with red-pink tips...

From$18.83
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Fraxinus excelsior

Fraxinus excelsior, commonly known as the European Ash or Common Ash, is a large and stately, deciduous tree grown for its rich and colourful...

From$299.92
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Chiranthodendron pentadactylon (Monkeys Hand Tree)

Commonly known as the Monkeys Hand Tree, this is an evergreen tree grown for its flowers and stature. Amidst the lush, green foliage are borne showy...

From$146.79
Juncus edgariae (Wiwi) plants growing in a wetland.

Juncus edgariae (Edgar's Rush)

Juncus edgariae, commonly known as Wiwi, is the most prevalent species of Rush in New Zealand and grows as a tight clump with bright green, stem-like...

From$16.13
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Callisia repens

Callisia repens goes by several common names such as the Bubbles Plant, Turtle Vine, and Pin Panther Plant. The Turtle Vine is a very popular indoor...

From$26.33
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TURFIX

TURFIX is a common herbicide used to control the most common broadleaf weeds and clovers in new and established lawns. It will control Clover...

From$97.20
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Super Shield Rose Spray – 1 Litre

This multipurpose spray is designed to control most common pests and diseases that affect roses. That includes blackspot, aphids, rust, powdery...

From$131.90
Phormium tenax

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Callisia, Chiranthodendron, Dianella, Fraxinus, Juncus Phormium and Sempervivum, or related Categories - Fungicides, Herbicides, Flaxes, Grasses, Indoor Plants, Succulents Deciduous Trees and Evergreen Trees.

Search common flax

What Sets Common Flax Apart?

Common flax is renowned for its tough, evergreen leaves that can reach up to 3 metres in length. As a robust native, it thrives in a variety of garden conditions—sunny or partially shaded, coastal, or even wet sites. The dramatic flower spikes appearing from late spring attract native birds such as tui and bellbirds, supporting biodiversity in your backyard. Over time, plants create clumps, offering natural shelter and erosion control, making them excellent choices for habitat restoration or as feature specimens in a home garden.

Growing and Caring for Common Flax

Planting common flax is a straightforward way to bring a touch of classic New Zealand to your landscape. This species prefers well-drained soil but will tolerate wetter conditions, making it ideal for tricky areas prone to occasional flooding. Once established, common flax copes well with drought and wind, requiring little maintenance apart from the occasional tidy-up of old foliage. Mulching in the first year helps retain soil moisture and suppress competing weeds. For those looking to expand their flax garden, Phormium tenax is available, along with stunning cultivars such as Phormium 'Spearmint' (Spearmint Flax), Phormium 'Moonraker' (Moonraker Flax), and Phormium 'Purple Haze' (Purple Flax Plant), each offering unique foliage colours and textures.

Versatile Uses of Common Flax

Beyond being a standout in the garden, common flax is famous for its historical and practical uses. Maori weavers traditionally harvest leaves to prepare fibre for weaving baskets, mats, or clothing—a testament to its strength and flexibility. Modern gardeners can use mature plants to create natural privacy screens or windbreaks. With its bold lines, common flax pairs well with other native and ornamental grasses, including Dianella Kentlyn, for a dynamic, textural planting scheme.

Create a Stunning New Zealand Garden

If you want to celebrate native beauty and bold foliage, incorporating common flax into your garden is a rewarding decision. Explore a diverse range of flaxes, from the unmistakable Phormium tenax to eye-catching cultivars like Phormium 'Spearmint' (Spearmint Flax) and Phormium 'Purple Haze' (Purple Flax Plant), and discover how easy it is to add texture, colour, and wildlife appeal to your outdoor space. Common flax is more than just a plant—it’s a cornerstone of New Zealand’s gardens and a link to our cultural roots.


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–The Plant Company

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