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flax grass plant

The flax grass plant is a striking, versatile choice for New Zealand gardens. With its sword-like leaves, architectural form, and hardy nature, the flax grass plant (commonly referring to New Zealand’s native Phormium species) is perfect for adding structure, year-round colour, and texture to your landscape. Available in a wide range of sizes and vibrant hues, flax grass plants are an iconic option that thrive in both urban and rural settings. Whether you’re refreshing a coastal property, creating a modern courtyard feature, or looking for low-maintenance mass planting, flax grass plants deliver unrivalled impact with minimal fuss.

phormium-pepe-

Phormium 'Pepe' (Dwarf Flax)

Phormium 'Pepe' is a compact New Zealand flax prized for its fine green foliage and neat mounding growth habit. This hardy evergreen provides year round texture, movement, and structure, making it a versatile choice for gardens of all sizes.

From $19.95

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Flaxes
Height: 50 cm
Spread: 60 cm
Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy, Wind
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Patios, Ponds, Pool areas
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Modern, Native
Dianella 'Blaze' plants featuring stunning bronze-green foliage in a garden.

Dianella 'Blaze'

5 from 3 customers

Dianella 'Blaze' is a striking flax lily grown for its colourful, strap like foliage that develops rich shades of green, bronze, and fiery red through the seasons. The tidy clumping habit makes it ideal for modern landscapes, while sprays of blue flowers followed by decorative berries add extra interest.

From $16.49

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Flaxes
Height: 50 cm
Spread: 50 cm
Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Ponds, Pool areas
Garden styles: Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Mediterranean, Modern
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$8.50
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$14.95
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$14.95
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$8.50
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$14.95
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$249.95
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$7.50
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$16.49
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$14.95
festuca-banks-peninsula-blue-1
Festuca 'Banks Peninsula Blue' (Blue Fescue Grass)

Festuca 'Banks Peninsula Blue' is a striking ornamental grass valued for its fine, steel blue foliage that forms neat, compact clumps. This hardy...

From$14.49
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$19.25
Cyperus ustulatus growing in water.
Cyperus ustulatus (Giant Umbrella Sedge)

Cyperus ustulatus, commonly known as the Giant Umbrella Sedge, is a large and robust NZ native grass. It grows as a clump and produces dark green...

From$17.25
Lomandra Green Allure plant with lush, green foliage.
Lomandra Green Allure

Lomandra 'Green Allure' is a hardy evergreen ornamental grass with fine fresh green foliage and a neat clumping habit. It is an excellent choice for...

From$19.25
Lomandra Tankia with lush green foliage bordering a path.
Lomandra 'Tanika'

Lomandra Tanika is a hardy, Australian Native grass that is commonly known as Mat Rush. This grass features fine, deep-green foliage and a graceful...

From$10.97
isolepsis-cernua-1
Isolepis cernua (Scirpus cernua)

Isolepis cernua (Fiber Optic Grass) is a distinctive ornamental grass prized for its fine green stems tipped with tiny white flowers that resemble...

From$16.49
5-litre-plant-pots-
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...

From$79.20
Austroderia fulvida (Toetoe) plants in a garden with cascading green foliage and white flower plumes.
Austroderia fulvida (Toetoe)

Austroderia fulvida, commonly known as Toetoe or Toi Toi, is a large and vigorous NZ native grass. It bears long, narrow, mid-green leaves that are...

From$13.73
Hakonechloa macra 'Albovariegata' plant.
Hakonechloa 'Albovariegata'

Hakonechloa macra 'Albovariegata', commonly known as variegated Japanese Forest Grass, features lush foliage that is variegated dark green with...

From$23.39
Chrysopogon zizanioides grass plants growing alongside a stream.
Chrysopogon zizanioides

Chrysopogon zizanioides (Vetiver Grass) is a hardy, evergreen clump forming grass renowned for its deep root system, attractive upright foliage, and...

From$20.63
15-litre-plant-pots-
1.5 Litre Plant Pots

1.5 Litre Plant Pots are a practical choice for growing young shrubs, perennials, grasses, herbs, and other developing plants. They provide useful...

From$27.36
native-plant-fertiliser-
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...

From$16.95
3-litre-plant-pots-
3.5 Litre Plant Pots

3.5 Litre Plant Pots are a versatile choice for growing shrubs, perennials, grasses, herbs, and other established plants. They provide generous root...

From$48.96
plant-pots-
2.5 Litre Plant Pots

2.5 Litre Plant Pots are a practical option for growing shrubs, perennials, grasses, herbs, and other developing plants. They provide ample root...

From$37.44
Lomandra longifolia plant beside a path with lush, green foliage.
Lomandra longifolia (Basket Grass)

Lomandra longifolia (Basket Grass) is a resilient, evergreen ornamental grass native to Australia. Growing to approximately 60 cm in height and 65 cm...

From$19.25
Ophiopogon japonicus Silver Mist grass in a garden.
Ophiopogon 'Silver Mist' (Silver Mondo Grass)

Ophiopogon 'Silver Mist' is a dwarf silver Mondo Grass, and features fine, grass-like foliage that is variegated dark green and white. It typically...

From$6.95
Zebra grass (Miscanthus 'Zebrinus') leaves with cream and green stripes.
Miscanthus 'Zebrinus'

Miscanthus 'Zebrinus' (Zebra Grass) is a striking ornamental grass recognised for its bold horizontal yellow banding across arching green leaves...

From$19.95
An elegant Miscanthus sinensis grass with cream-coloured flower plumes and lush green foliage.
Miscanthus sinensis

Miscanthus sinensis is an ornamental grass that grows as a clump of narrow, arching, green leaves. The colouring gives a light silver-green effect to...

From$19.95
Sisyrinchium californicum plants with yellow flowers and fine, green foliage.
Sisyrinchium californicum

Sisyrinchium californicum, commonly known as the Golden Eyed Grass, is an herbaceous perennial grown for both its foliage and flowers. It bears...

From$17.25
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$499.80
A strong and studry planting spade.
Ace1 Planting Spade

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...

From$225.86
Phormium 'Pepe' (Dwarf Flax)

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You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Dianella, and Phormium, or related Categories - Flaxes.

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Why Choose a Flax Grass Plant?

Flax grass plants are celebrated for their toughness and adaptability. They can tolerate poor soils, coastal winds, dry conditions, and even a touch of frost. These native beauties are equally at home in formal borders, rockeries, or wild, naturalistic plantings. Their evergreen leaves—ranging from deep greens to reds and bronzes—bring continuous colour to your garden. Best of all, flax grass plants are drought tolerant once established and require little maintenance, making them a favourite for busy gardeners.

Popular Varieties of Flax Grass Plant

New Zealand phormiums come in a fantastic palette of shapes and sizes, giving you plenty of creative options. Gardeners seeking smaller options for pots or borders often love the compact Phormium 'Pepe' (Dwarf Flax) for its tidy tufted form and vibrant green blades. For a dash of boldness, try Phormium 'Jester', which stands out with its pink and green striped leaves.

Looking for something with a dramatic, modern feel? The deep tones of Phormium 'Velvet Underground' or the earthy charm of Phormium 'Surfer Bronze' could be perfect for you. Gardeners needing a low-growing option should consider Phormium 'Green Dwarf', an excellent compact variety for smaller spaces or as edging.

How to Grow and Care for Flax Grass Plants

Growing a healthy flax grass plant is refreshingly easy. Choose a sunny or partly sheltered spot with well-drained soil. While flax grass plants tolerate drought, watering during extended dry spells will keep them at their best. A yearly application of mulch will help suppress weeds and retain moisture. Remove older or damaged leaves at the base to keep your plant looking sharp. If your flax grass plant outgrows its space, it can be divided and replanted during autumn or spring—an affordable way to multiply your garden’s beauty.

Designing with Flax Grass Plants

Flax grass plants lend a strong structural element to landscapes. Use them as elegant specimen plants in containers, or group several together for a bold statement in larger beds. Their architectural lines contrast beautifully with softer shrubs and perennials, while their foliage weaves well with gravel, timber, and stone in contemporary designs. For coastal gardens, the salt and wind tolerance of the flax grass plant is especially valuable. These adaptable natives can also be incorporated into rain gardens, swales, or wildlife-friendly plantings.

Browse our full selection of phormiums, including standout varieties like Phormium 'Pepe' (Dwarf Flax), Phormium 'Velvet Underground', Phormium 'Surfer Bronze', Phormium 'Green Dwarf', and Phormium 'Jester', and give your garden the enduring style and strength of the classic flax grass plant.

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.

Illustration of plant leaves.
Azara microphylla and Corokia 'Mangatangi' are tried and true, but new favourites like Mandarin 'Satsuma', Olive 'Ascolano', and Helichrysum petiolare (Trailing Dusty Miller) are just waiting to be discovered.
–The Plant Company

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