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

dwarf flax plants

Are you searching for versatile, low-maintenance greenery perfect for New Zealand gardens and landscapes? Dwarf flax plants are a fantastic choice for those seeking hardy, ornamental foliage that thrives in our local conditions. These compact varieties of native New Zealand flax offer striking textures and vibrant colours, making them a popular option for borders, mass plantings, containers, and even coastal gardens. With their manageable size, dwarf flax plants are easy to care for and add a dynamic touch to small spaces, urban gardens, or anywhere you need a splash of green.

Phormium 'Emerald Gem' in a native garden.

Phormium 'Emerald Gem'

4.8 from 4 customers

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 full sun on a well-drained site. This dwarf flax is often added to mixed plantings and borders, used in coastal gardens, planted to accentuate water features such as ponds and streams, or grown around pool and barbecue areas.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Flaxes
Height: 60 cm
Spread: 70 cm
Flowering time: Summer
Tolerances: Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy, Wet, Wind
Garden uses: Banks, Borders, Living areas, Parks, Paths & Steps, Patios, Ponds, Pool areas, Specimen
Garden styles: Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern, Native, Riparian
phormium-pepe-

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 same wide with a tidy and compact habit. Phormium Pepe is a versatile plant that makes a fantastic addition to mixed plantings, border plantings, water features, coastal gardens, or outdoor living areas.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Flaxes
Height: 50 cm
Spread: 50 cm
Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy, Wind
Garden uses: Banks, Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Patios, Ponds, Pool areas
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Modern, Native
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 '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
phormium-stripy-mist-

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
Phormium tenax plant in a garden with green foliage.

Phormium tenax

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...

From$20.93
A Pittosporum 'Midget' plant in a garden.

Pittosporum 'Midget' (Dwarf Pittosporum)

Pittosporum 'Midget' is a dwarf variety that features foliage made up of small, fresh green leaves. The foliage is complemented with small, purple...

cyperus-papyrus-nana-3

Cyperus papyrus Nana (Dwarf Papyrus)

Cyperus papyrus Nana, the Dwarf Papyrus, is a perennial grass with bright green leaves and distinctive umbrella-like flower sprays in summer. Growing...

From$20.18
pittosporum-small-ball-

Pittosporum Small Ball (Dwarf Pittosporum)

Pittosporum Small Ball is a dwarf variety grown for its glossy, olive-green leaves which are held densely. This evergreen grows with a ball shape to...

Stromanthe triostar plant.

Stromanthe Triostar (Stromanthe Plant)

Stromanthe Triostar is a popular indoor plant owing to its lush and colourful foliage. It features elegant, dark green, pink, and cream-coloured...

From$32.33
schefflera-arboricola-

Schefflera arboricola (Dwarf Umbrella Tree)

The Schefflera arboricola plant, commonly known as the Dwarf Umbrella Tree, is an evergreen shrub commonly grown as a houseplant. The foliage is mid...

From$26.93
Pittosporum 'Stephens Island' green foliage.

Pittosporum 'Stephens Island' (Dwarf Karo)

Pittosporum ‘Stephens Island’ is a compact, evergreen shrub known for its dense, upright growth and attractive grey-green foliage. A hardy New...

From$21.53
hymenosporum-gold-nugget--2

Hymenosporum Gold Nugget (Dwarf Frangipani)

Hymenosporum flavum Gold Nugget is a shrub grown for its clusters of fragrant flowers through spring. The flowers emerge a cream colour, age to...

From$33.68
callistemon-green-john-

Callistemon 'Green John' (Dwarf Bottlebrush)

Callistemon 'Green John' is a hardy evergreen shrub admired for its fresh green foliage and vibrant red bottlebrush flowers that appear from spring...

From$26.93
sansevieria-hahnii-

Sansevieria Hahnii (Bird's Nest Snake Plant)

Sansevieria Hahnii, commonly known as the Dwarf Snake Plant or Serpent Plant, is a very popular indoor plant. It features upright and fleshy leaves...

From$37.73
kniphofia-dwarf-orange-

Kniphofia Dwarf Orange (Torchlily)

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

From$20.18
phoenix-roebelenii--3

Phoenix roebelenii (Dwarf Date Palm)

Phoenix roebelenii, commonly known as the Dwarf Date Palm, Miniature Date Palm, or Pygmy Date Palm, is a delightful and popular Palm tree. It...

From$158.89
bergenia-cordifolia-3

Bergenia cordifolia (Pig Squeak Plant)

Bergenia cordifolia is a hardy evergreen perennial admired for its large glossy leaves and clusters of pink flowers in late winter and spring. This...

From$21.53
Chlorophytum comosum variegatum plants growing in pots on a shelf.

Chlorophytum comosum variegatum (Spider Plant)

Chlorophytum comosum Variegatum, commonly known as the Spider Plant, is a tender, herbaceous perennial grown for its lush and variegated foliage. It...

From$19.58
Kniphofia Dwarf Scarlet plant with red flowers.

Kniphofia 'Dwarf Scarlet' (Hot Poker Plant)

Kniphofia 'Dwarf Scarlet' is a compact perennial known for its vibrant red flower spikes that rise above neat grassy foliage. This eye catching plant...

From$20.18
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...

From$20.93
Juniperus procumbens 'Nana' (prostrate Juniper) growing as a tidy ground cover.

Juniperus procumbens Nana (Japanese Dwarf Juniper)

Juniperus procumbens 'Nana', commonly known as the Prostrate Juniper, is a ground-hugging conifer that forms a carpet of blue-green, needle-like...

From$33.68
perovskia-atriplicifolia--1

Perovskia atriplicifolia (Perovskia plant)

Perovskia atriplicifolia, commonly known as Russian Sage or Russian Lavender, is a small and erect shrub that is grown for its fine foliage and...

From$24.23
aechmea-fasciata-

Aechmea fasciata (Urn Plant)

Aechmea fasciata is a colourful Bromeliad that features thick and leathery leaves that are striped with silver and dark green. They are borne as a...

A Pelargonium 'Dwarf White' plant in a pot.

Pelargonium 'Dwarf White'

Pelargonium 'Dwarf White' is a compact and floriferous geranium that produces clusters of pure white blooms over a long flowering season. Its neat...

From$20.18
70-windbreak-2

Shadecloth - 70% Shade (Shade Cloth For Plants)

This shade cloth for plants, which is also used as plant windbreaks, reduces light levels and windspeeds by 70%. Therefore, 30% of the wind or light...

From$420.00
chlorophytum-curly--2

Chlorophytum Curly (Curly Spider Plant)

Chlorophytum Curly, commonly known as the Curly Spider Plant or Airplane plant, is a tender, herbaceous perennial grown for its lush, variegated, and...

From$21.53
Leonotis leonurus shrub with masses of orange flowers.

Leonotis leonurus (Lions Tail Plant)

Leonotis leonurus, commonly known as the Lions Tail Plant, is a shrub grown for its interesting flowers and foliage. Its unusualness comes from...

From$26.93
Chlorophytum 'Golden Glow' plant.

Chlorophytum Golden Glow (Chlorophytum comosum Spider Plant)

Chlorophytum Golden Glow, commonly known as the Spider Plant, is a tender, herbaceous perennial grown for its lush and bright foliage. It features...

From$21.53
pb-8-planter-bags-1

PB8 Planter Bags (Potting Bags For Plants)

These PB8 planter bags are 125 microns thick and hold 4.5 litres of potting mix. They are durable and won’t rip which makes them great for handling...

From$43.44
pb-12-planter-bags-

PB12 Planter Bags (Grow Bags For Plants)

These PB12 planter bags are 125 microns thick and hold 6.75 litres of potting mix. They are durable and won’t rip which makes them great for...

From$48.54
Carex 'Everlime' plants for sale at The Plant Company nursery.

Carex 'Everlime' (Lime Grass Plant)

Carex ‘Everlime’ (Japanese Sedge) is a popular evergreen sedge valued for its graceful arching green foliage edged with bright lime cream margins...

From$26.33
Phormium 'Emerald Gem'

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Aechmea, Bergenia, Callistemon, Carex, Chlorophytum, Cyperus, Hymenosporum, Juniperus, Kniphofia, Leonotis, Pelargonium, Perovskia, Phoenix, Phormium, Pittosporum, Sansevieria, Schefflera Sedum and Stromanthe, or related Categories - Shadecloth & Windbreak, Planter Bags, Flaxes, Grasses, Groundcover Plants, Indoor Plants, Palm Trees, Perennials Evergreen Shrubs and Succulents.

Search dwarf flax plants

Why Choose Dwarf Flax Plants?

Dwarf flax plants belong to the Phormium genus, renowned for their rugged adaptation to New Zealand’s climate and soil. Unlike their larger relatives, dwarf flax plants typically grow to heights of 30–60 cm, making them ideal for gardens where space is at a premium. Their sword-like leaves come in a variety of shades, offering year-round interest. These plants are excellent for gardeners wanting a native, sustainable choice with minimal upkeep. Because dwarf flax plants tolerate wind, salt spray, and drought, they suit everything from urban courtyards to coastal hotspots.

Popular Varieties of Dwarf Flax

There’s a wonderful diversity among dwarf flax plants, each with distinct charm and colour. If you’re looking for green-toned foliage with a graceful habit, Phormium 'Pepe' (Dwarf Flax) is one of the best-known and most widely used dwarf flax cultivars. It’s perfectly suited for compact planting schemes and thrives just as well in pots as in garden beds.

For gardeners who favour vibrant greens, Phormium 'Emerald Gem' provides lush colour and a neat, tidy form. If you want a small flax with classic green foliage, Phormium 'Green Dwarf' is an ideal addition to both residential and commercial landscapes, thanks to its versatility and easy-care nature.

For something unique, Phormium 'Black Pepe' (Dwarf Black Flax) captivates with dark, almost black leaves, creating striking contrasts within mixed plantings. This dwarf flax cultivar is perfect for dramatic visual effect and pairs well with lighter-toned plants. Looking for something striped? Phormium 'Stripy Mist' adds flair with its green foliage enriched by cream-coloured stripes, making it a favourite for modern landscaping.

Planting and Using Dwarf Flax Plants

Dwarf flax plants are prized for their flexibility—use them for edging paths, creating low-maintenance borders, or filling containers. They’re also fantastic for native revegetation projects, ecological gardens, and erosion control. Plant in free-draining soil and position in full sun for best results, though these hardy natives will tolerate partial shade. Water well during establishment, then enjoy their drought tolerance in the seasons that follow. Dwarf flax plants require little pruning and rarely suffer from pests.

Shop Dwarf Flax Plants in New Zealand

Browse our collection of Phormium 'Pepe' (Dwarf Flax), Phormium 'Emerald Gem', Phormium 'Green Dwarf', Phormium 'Black Pepe' (Dwarf Black Flax), and Phormium 'Stripy Mist' to bring enduring beauty to your New Zealand garden. Whether you’re a home gardener or landscaping for a project, dwarf flax plants are the reliable, eye-catching solution for spaces big and small.


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.

–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.

4.9

429 Google reviews