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flax tree nz

Searching for information about the flax tree NZ gardeners love? You’re in the right place. New Zealand’s iconic “flax tree” is a striking native plant that brings sculptural beauty, resilience, and versatility to gardens across the country. From rugged coastal landscapes to urban borders, the distinctive upright leaves and bold flower spikes of flax make it a standout choice for any Kiwi garden.

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
Phormium 'Jack Spratt' plants for sale at The Plant Company nursery.

Phormium 'Jack Spratt'

5 from 1 customers

Phormium 'Jack Spratt' is one of the smallest New Zealand native flax varieties, admired for its narrow, upright leaves in rich bronze to dark chocolate tones. Compact and stylish, it provides year round colour and architectural form, making it perfect for smaller gardens, rockeries, and pots. Hardy and low maintenance, Phormium 'Jack Spratt' thrives in diverse NZ conditions and is an excellent choice for gardeners wanting a versatile and decorative native flax.

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, Parks, Paths & Steps, Patios, Ponds, Pool areas, Specimen
Garden styles: Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern, Native, Riparian
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-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
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 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-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...

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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-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
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 '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
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-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 '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
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
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...

From$16.13
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
crassula-ovata-

Crassula ovata (Money Tree)

Crassula ovata is a versatile plant ideal for New Zealand gardens, offering unique features and easy care.

From$28.28
Metrosideros excelsa (Pohutukawa) specimen tree with masses of red flowers in a coastal location.

Metrosideros excelsa (Pōhutukawa)

Metrosideros excelsa, commonly known as Pōhutukawa or the New Zealand Christmas Tree, is a coastal evergreen renowned for its brilliant red flowers...

From$26.93
Carex maorica growing in water.

Carex maorica (NZ Sedge)

Carex maorica is a hardy New Zealand native sedge that forms attractive clumps of arching, green foliage. Found naturally in wetlands and damp areas...

From$15.53
sorbus-scarlet-king-

Sorbus aucuparia Scarlet King (Rowan Tree NZ)

Sorbus aucuparia Scarlet King is a variety of the commonly known, Mountain Ash, and is a small-sized, deciduous with impressive characteristics...

Melia azedarach tree.

Melia azedarach (Bead Tree)

Melia azedarach, commonly known as Bead Tree, White Cedar or Persian Lilac, is a fast-growing deciduous tree admired for its feathery foliage and...

From$343.89
Liriodendron tulipifera 'Fastigiata' trees with yellow foliage in autumn.

Liriodendron tulipifera 'Fastigiata' (Tulip Tree)

Liriodendron tulipifera fastigiata, also known as the Upright Tulip Tree, is a stunning deciduous tree admired for its narrow, columnar form. It...

From$432.79
emguard-biodegradable-plant-shelter-

Tree Guards (Tree Guards)

Our tree guards and plant shelters are bio-degradable products that are perfect for using in riparian areas and other exposed positions. They are...

From$4.20
Fuchsia arborescens tree with pink flowers and lush green foliage.

Fuchsia arborescens (Tree Fuchsia)

Fuchsia arborescens is an evergreen shrub favoured for its pretty flowers, which are produced almost year-round. Large and showy clusters of...

From$22.28
cedrela-sinensis-flamingo-7

Cedrela sinensis Flamingo (Toon Tree)

Cedrela sinensis Flamingo is a highly colourful, deciduous tree featuring bright, salmon-pink foliage in spring which ages to cream-yellow, and then...

From$28.28
sequoiadendron-giganteum-

Sequoiadendron giganteum (Sequoia gigantea Tree)

Sequoiadendron giganteum, commonly known as the Giant Redwood, is a large, evergreen tree and aptly named for its red coloured wood. It features...

From$299.92
magnolia-liliiflora-nigra-1

Magnolia liliiflora Nigra (Magnolia Tree Nigra)

Magnolia liliiflora Nigra, commonly known as Black Lily, is a stunning tree that bears masses of large and showy, purple flowers from late winter...

From$343.89
magnolia-deryk-2

Magnolia Deryk (Magnolia Tree Deryk)

Magnolia Deryk is a deciduous tree that bears masses of large and showy, dark red-purple flowers from late winter until early spring. The flowers are...

From$343.89
Dacrydium cupressinum (Rimu) tree juvenile foliage.

Dacrydium cupressinum (Rimu Tree)

Dacrydium cupressinum, commonly known as Rimu or Red Pine, is an iconic and slow-growing tree. The juvenile form features drooping branches densely...

From$97.13
Phormium tenax

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Carex, Cedrela, Crassula, Dacrydium, Dianella, Fuchsia, Liriodendron, Magnolia, Melia, Metrosideros, Phormium Sequoiadendron and Sorbus, or related Categories - Plant Guards, Flaxes, Grasses, Deciduous Shrubs, Succulents, Deciduous Trees Evergreen Trees and Magnolia Trees.

Search flax tree nz

What Is the Flax Tree NZ?

In New Zealand, the term “flax tree” refers to plants in the Phormium genus, particularly the revered Phormium tenax, also known as harakeke. Although not technically trees, these architectural perennials feature sword-like leaves that can reach up to 3 metres in height and spectacular flower spikes that attract native birds such as tūī and bellbirds. The Maori people have long used the flax tree NZ for weaving and rope making, while modern gardeners appreciate its year-round form and colour.

Popular Types of Flax Tree NZ

When selecting a flax tree NZ for your home, you’ll discover a variety of Phormium cultivars that suit gardens of all sizes and styles. The classic Phormium tenax showcases vibrant green blades and red-bronze flower spikes, thriving in wet or dry conditions. For compact spaces or container planting, consider Phormium 'Jack Spratt', a dwarf variety with slender dark foliage, or Phormium 'Green Dwarf', with its tidy growth and emerald green leaves. If bold colour is on your wishlist, Phormium 'Surfer Bronze' offers wavy bronze-toned leaves, while Phormium 'Velvet Underground' provides lush deep burgundy tones for dramatic effect.

How to Grow and Care for Flax Tree NZ

The flax tree NZ is renowned for its easy care and adaptability. Plant your flax in a sunny or lightly shaded spot with well-drained soil. These hardy natives tolerate drought, frosts, and coastal wind once established, needing minimal maintenance beyond the removal of spent leaves or flower stalks. They’re perfect for low-maintenance borders, pond margins, erosion control, and contemporary landscaping schemes.

Mulch in spring to suppress weeds and retain moisture. Feed with a slow-release native fertilizer if growth is slow, but avoid excessive nitrogen which can cause leaf flop. Divide established clumps every few years to rejuvenate your flax and create new plants for free.

Why Choose Flax Trees for NZ Gardens?

From functional windbreaks to striking specimen plants, the flax tree NZ is a sustainable, wildlife-friendly choice that embodies the country’s natural heritage. Its vivid foliage and structural form provide year-round interest, and its resilience means you can plant with confidence in almost any environment.

Whether you favour the classic Phormium tenax or more compact, colourful options like Phormium 'Jack Spratt', Phormium 'Green Dwarf', Phormium 'Velvet Underground', or Phormium 'Surfer Bronze', New Zealand flax brings enduring style and practicality to your landscape. Explore our range and introduce this stunning native to your own garden.


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.

We love Corokia Bronze King and Stromanthe Triostar (Stromanthe Plant) as much as anyone, but part of the fun is discovering Ficus 'Ruby', Hoheria populnea, and Ajuga 'Pink Elf'.
–The Plant Company

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