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

dwarf phormium

Dwarf phormium, also known as dwarf flax, is a versatile and low-maintenance New Zealand native plant perfect for smaller gardens, borders, and pots. Favoured for its compact size and striking, architectural foliage, dwarf phormium brings year-round texture and colour to any outdoor space. Whether you’re after a neat, grassy groundcover or a bold statement plant for a modern landscape, varieties of dwarf phormium easily fit into almost any planting scheme. With their adaptability and resilience, these hardy evergreens thrive in a wide range of soils, tolerate dry and windy conditions, and are even suitable for coastal gardens. If you’re looking to add manageable size, vibrant shades, and a real Kiwi flair to your garden, exploring dwarf phormium options is a must.

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 on a well-drained site. Phormium 'Black Pepe' is added to mixed plantings, border plantings, coastal gardens, or planted around pool and barbecue areas.

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

From$20.93
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-veneer-

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
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 'Raspberry Ripple' colourful red, foliage.

Phormium 'Raspberry Ripple'

Phormium 'Raspberry Ripple' is a striking New Zealand flax valued for its arching foliage streaked with rich raspberry red and creamy tones. This eye...

From$20.93
phormium-velvet-underground-1

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
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...

phormium-pink-panther-

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
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
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...

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
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 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

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
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
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
abutilon-lucky-lantern-white-2

Abutilon Lucky Lantern White

Abutilon Lucky Lantern White, commonly known as Chinese Lantern, Flowering Maple, or Parlour Maple, grows to just 50 cm tall and the same wide, and...

From$26.93
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
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
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
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
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
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 '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
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
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
Chionochloa flavicans (Miniature ToeToe) plants with cascading cream-coloured flowers.

Chionochloa flavicans (Miniature Toetoe)

Chionochloa flavicans, commonly known as Miniature ToeToe or Dwarf Toe Toe, is a highly popular NZ native grass. It has flowing, green foliage and...

From$9.01
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
Phormium 'Black Pepe' (Dwarf Black Flax)

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Abutilon, Callistemon, Chionochloa, Cyperus, Hymenosporum, Juniperus, Kniphofia, Pelargonium, Phoenix, Phormium Pittosporum and Schefflera, or related Categories - Flaxes, Grasses, Groundcover Plants, Indoor Plants, Palm Trees Perennials and Evergreen Shrubs.

Search dwarf phormium

What Is Dwarf Phormium

Dwarf phormium refers to smaller-growing cultivars of the iconic New Zealand flax (Phormium) species. Unlike their tall cousins that can reach several metres, dwarf phormiums stay compact, usually growing to 30–60 cm high. Their strap-like leaves come in a spectrum of colours—from glossy greens and dark bronzes through to unique variegated forms—making them ideal for adding foliage contrast and garden structure. Dwarf phormium hybrids have been bred for neatness, practicality, and stunning ornamental value, providing all the hardiness of traditional flax without outgrowing their welcome.

Popular Dwarf Phormium Varieties

Several standout dwarf phormium cultivars are treasured by gardeners across New Zealand. Each offers unique colour and visual interest:

How to Grow and Care for Dwarf Phormium

Caring for dwarf phormium is easy, making it a top pick for both experienced gardeners and beginners. Plant your dwarf phormium in well-drained soil where it receives full sun to part shade. Allow space for air flow, water regularly during the first season, and mulch to reduce weeds and retain moisture. Once established, dwarf phormium tolerates dry spells and coastal wind, requiring only occasional tidying of old leaves. Dwarf phormiums rarely need feeding, but a slow-release fertiliser each spring boosts their lush foliage display.

Using Dwarf Phormium in the Garden

Dwarf phormium’s compact nature makes it extremely adaptable. Plant them in mass groupings for a dramatic, textured effect, pop them into decorative pots for patios, or use them to edge pathways and garden beds. Their tolerance for tough sites means they excel in both urban and coastal gardens. Try pairing Phormium 'Elfin' with other flax varieties for layers of contrasting colour, or mix Phormium 'Black Pepe' (Dwarf Black Flax) with native grasses for a natural look.

Dwarf phormium is an essential addition to New Zealand gardens, offering resilience, colour, and tidy form in a wide range of landscaping situations. Explore our collection of compact flax varieties and discover the perfect dwarf phormium to suit your own outdoor oasis.


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