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

flax like plants

Searching for distinctive flax like plants to enhance your garden? Many New Zealand gardeners love the striking look of flaxes, with their bold architectural leaves and impressive presence. Whether you want a native feature or are seeking hardy, low-maintenance choices for landscaping, there’s a wide variety of plants that capture the beauty and utility of traditional flax.

Phormium tenax plant in a garden with green foliage.

Phormium tenax

5 from 2 customers

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
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$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 'Dark Delight' plant with elegant, purple foliage.

Phormium 'Dark Delight'

Phormium 'Dark Delight', also known as Dark Purple Flax, is a bold New Zealand native flax prized for its broad, upright leaves in deep purple to...

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
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$18.23
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
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
portulaca-pizzaz-sunset-

Portulaca Pazzaz Sunset (Moss Rose Plant)

Portulaca Pazazz Sunset, commonly known as the Moss Rose plant, is a low-growing perennial with fabulous flowers. Bright orange and yellow flowers...

From$25.58
duranta-geisha-girl-

Duranta Geisha Girl (Geisha Girl Plant)

Duranta Geisha Girl is a popular choice known for its evergreen shrub with fresh green leaves and deep, blue flowers. The flowers have a white centre...

From$28.28
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...

From$43.13
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
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
serissa-snowflake--2

Serissa Snowflake (Snow Rose Plant)

Serissa Snowflake, commonly known as the Snow Rose plant, is an evergreen shrub grown for its lovely flowering and foliage. Showy, white flowers...

From$24.23
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
helichrysum-petiolare--3

Helichrysum petiolare (Licorice Plant)

Helichrysum petiolare, commonly known as the Licorice plant, is a popular, evergreen shrub that is often used as a groundcover. It produces long...

From$24.23
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...

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
A lush Coprosma repens shrub growing in a shaded position.

Coprosma repens (Mirror Plant)

Coprosma repens, also known as Taupata or Mirror Plant, is a robust New Zealand native shrub featuring lush, glossy green foliage. Growing up to 3...

From$21.53
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
A large Monstera deliciosa (Swiss Cheese Plant) in a garden with lush, green leaves.

Monstera deliciosa (Swiss Cheese Plant)

Monstera deliciosa, also known as the Swiss Cheese or Fruit Salad Plant, is a popular indoor tropical plant loved for its striking, holey leaves and...

From$29.63
Moss pole for plants.

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...

From$6.53
A Spearmint plant with lush, green leaves.

Mint Plant

Mint Plant (Spearmint) is a popular herb grown for its fresh fragrant leaves and versatile use in cooking drinks and home remedies. Well suited to...

From$16.13
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
15-litre-plant-pots-

1.5 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...

From$23.75
plant-pots-

2.5 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...

From$32.50
half-litre-plant-pots-

0.51 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...

From$20.00
Phormium tenax

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Aechmea, Bergenia, Carex, Chlorophytum, Coprosma, Dianella, Duranta, Helichrysum, Kniphofia, Leonotis, Mint, Monstera, Phormium, Portulaca, Sansevieria, Sedum Serissa and Stromanthe, or related Categories - Shadecloth & Windbreak, Moss Poles, Plant pots, Planter Bags, Flaxes, Grasses, Groundcover Plants, Indoor Plants, Perennials Evergreen Shrubs and Succulents.

Search flax like plants

What Are Flax Like Plants?

Flax like plants are generally those that share similar growth habits and foliage with New Zealand’s iconic harakeke (Phormium). These plants typically feature upright, sword-shaped leaves and can be used for both ornamental and practical features in gardens, from screening to specimen planting. Not all flax like plants are true flaxes—some are related grasses, lilies, or grass-like perennials that mimic the form and hardiness of native Phormium.

Popular Flax Varieties for Kiwi Gardens

At our nursery, some of the most sought-after flax like plants belong to the Phormium family. One standout is Phormium tenax, widely known for its resilience, bold form, and height, making it a favourite for windbreaks, shelterbelts, and as a dramatic feature in landscaping.

If you’re after something with a bit of colour, Phormium 'Chocomint' offers unique, variegated foliage that brings year-round interest. For another splash of vibrant hues, Phormium 'Jester' boasts bright pink and green leaves, perfect for creating a focal point in mixed borders. Phormium 'Evening Glow' has deep crimson-red tones and compact growth that suits smaller gardens or pots.

Alternative Flax Like Plants

Beyond true flax, other plants fit perfectly into a flax like role. Dianella Kentlyn is a prime example. This tough, grass-like perennial resembles smaller flaxes but offers a softer texture and purplish-blue berries in autumn. It’s an excellent option in mass planting, as groundcover, or for underplanting larger shrubs.

How to Use Flax Like Plants in Landscape Design

Flax like plants are incredibly versatile. Use them:

They pair well with New Zealand natives, ornamental grasses, and flowering shrubs to create dynamic and low-maintenance gardens. Their tolerance for wind, salt, poor soils, and drought make them especially valuable for harsh sites.

Caring for Flax Like Plants

Most flax like plants are easy-care. Plant in well-draining soil, in full sun or part shade. Remove old or damaged leaves at the base to keep them tidy. Once established, they need minimal watering and thrive on neglect, making them ideal for busy gardeners and challenging locations.

Whether you choose a classic Phormium tenax, a vibrant variety like Phormium 'Jester', or a supplementary option such as Dianella Kentlyn, flax like plants add structure, colour, and reliability to any New Zealand garden. Explore our range to find the perfect fit for your landscaping needs.


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.

4.8

445 Google reviews