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giant new zealand flax

Discover the dramatic impact of giant New Zealand flax for your garden. Renowned for its commanding presence and architectural foliage, this iconic plant brings both structure and movement to landscapes across Aotearoa. If you’re searching for a resilient, statement-making perennial, giant New Zealand flax is a prime choice for Kiwi properties—from coastal retreats to urban borders. Read on to find out how to plant, grow, and care for these magnificent natives, and explore related flax varieties to suit every style.

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 ornamental plant brings strong colour and structure to gardens year round. Hardy and versatile, it thrives in a wide range of NZ conditions, from coastal to urban settings.

From $249.95

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Flaxes
Height: 1.25 m
Spread: 1.25 m
Flowering time: Summer
Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy, Wet, Wind
Garden uses: Containers, Living areas, Parks, Patios, Ponds, Pool areas, Specimen
Garden styles: Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Native, Riparian
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.

From $7.50

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 '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-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...

From$19.95
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
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 '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
Dianella 'Blaze' plants featuring stunning bronze-green foliage in a garden.
Dianella 'Blaze'

Dianella 'Blaze' is a striking flax lily grown for its colourful, strap like foliage that develops rich shades of green, bronze, and fiery red...

From$16.49
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
A Sophora chathamica tree growing in a garden with green foliage.
Sophora chathamica

Sophora chathamica (Coastal Kōwhai) is a stunning New Zealand native tree known for its masses of bright yellow flowers that appear in early spring...

From$323.65
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
Juncus pallidus (Giant Rush) plants in a landscaped garden.
Juncus pallidus (Giant Rush)

Juncus pallidus, commonly known as the Giant Rush, features erect, dark green leaves and grows as a tidy clump, reaching approximately 75 cm in...

From$16.49
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
Corokia 'Geentys Giant' green leaves.
Corokia 'Geenty's Giant'

Corokia 'Geenty's Giant' is a hardy, NZ native shrub that bears green-yellow foliage held densely on slender, upright branches. Masses of small...

From$17.95
Dysoxylum spectabile tree.
Dysoxylum spectabile (New Zealand Mahogany)

Dysoxylum spectabile, commonly known as Kohekohe, is a majestic NZ native tree admired for its glossy dark green leaves and clusters of fragrant...

From$323.65
Ajuga 'Catlins Giant' plants with green foliage and blue flowers growing in a garden bed.
Ajuga 'Catlins Giant'

Ajuga 'Catlins Giant' (Bugleweed Plant) is a vigorous evergreen groundcover valued for its large glossy dark green leaves and striking blue flower...

From$18.63
Libertia grandiflora plant with elegant white flowers and lush, dark green foliage.
Libertia grandiflora (NZ Iris)

Libertia grandiflora, commonly known as NZ Iris, is a hardy New Zealand native perennial admired for its elegant white flowers and sword like green...

From$16.50
Arthropodium Matapouri Bay plant with lush green foliage and masses of white flowers.
Arthropodium 'Matapouri Bay' (Rengarenga Lily)

Arthropodium 'Matapouri Bay' is a variety of the commonly known Renga Renga Lily, featuring mid-green leaves with a graceful and elegant arch. It...

From$19.95
Chusquea gigantea plant with bamboo stems and green foliage.
Chusquea gigantea

Chusquea gigantea (Giant Bamboo) is an impressive clumping bamboo admired for its towering canes, graceful arching foliage, and non invasive growth...

From$56.51
A Cornus controversa (Giant Dogwood) specimen tree.
Cornus controversa

Cornus controversa, commonly known as the Giant Dogwood, is a medium-sized, deciduous tree that features lush foliage that emerges mid-green in...

From$399.95
A large Agathis australis (Kauri tree) in a native reserve.
Agathis australis (New Zealand Kauri)

Agathis australis, commonly known as the Kauri tree, is a revered New Zealand native conifer renowned for its immense size and longevity. Reaching...

From$269.95
sequoiadendron-giganteum-
Sequoiadendron giganteum

Sequoiadendron giganteum (Giant Redwood) is one of the world's most impressive and majestic conifer trees, valued for its towering growth habit, rich...

From$270.40
Dianella 'Margaret Pringle' plant in a pot.
Dianella 'Margaret Pringle'

Dianella 'Margaret Pringle' bears spikes carrying delicate, blue flowers in spring, which are followed by small, blue berries in summer. These are...

From$20.63
Arthropodium cirratum (Rengarenga) plants in flower with lush green foliage in a border garden.
Arthropodium cirratum (Rengarenga Lily)

Arthropodium cirratum, commonly known as Rengarenga Lily or New Zealand Rock Lily, is a clump-forming, evergreen perennial native to New Zealand. It...

From$9.95
Thuja plicata 'Green Giant' trees standing 5 m tall as a lush, green screen.
Thuja 'Green Giant'

Thuja 'Green Giant' is a smaller variety of Cedar and bears sprays of glossy, dark green foliage held on slender stems. The result is a tree with a...

From$16.95
Libocedrus plumosa (Kawaka) tree with green-yellow foliage.
Libocedrus plumosa (Kawaka)

Libocedrus plumosa, commonly known as Kawaka, is a majestic NZ native conifer valued for its graceful, feathery foliage and elegant pyramidal form...

From$323.65
Dianella nigra plant with masses of blue berries.
Dianella nigra (New Zealand Blueberry)

Dianella nigra, commonly known as the New Zealand Blueberry or Tūrutu, is a NZ native that features lush foliage and glossy berries that vary in...

From$16.49
The best new lawn fertiliser in NZ.
New Lawn Fertiliser

Establishing a new lawn requires the proper nutrients to ensure robust root development and healthy growth. Our New Lawn Fertiliser, featuring...

From$5.95
phormium-veneer-
Phormium 'Veneer'

Phormium 'Veneer' is a striking NZ flax known for its upright, sword like leaves with rich bronze and green tones. This hardy evergreen adds bold...

OUT OF STOCK
Phormium 'Cream Delight' plant in a garden.
Phormium 'Cream Delight' (Cream Delight Flax)

Phormium 'Cream Delight' is a variety of Flax that produces leaves that are variegated with dark green and cream. This variety grows to 1.3 m tall...

OUT OF STOCK
phormium-tenax-purpurea-1
Phormium tenax 'Purpureum' (Purple Flax)

Phormium tenax 'Purpureum' is a bold New Zealand flax valued for its rich purple bronze foliage and strong architectural form. This evergreen native...

OUT OF STOCK
Phormium 'Rainbow Red'

Did you find what you are looking for?

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

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What is Giant New Zealand Flax?

Giant New Zealand flax refers mainly to Phormium tenax, a versatile and enduring native beloved for its robust, sword-like leaves that can grow up to three metres tall. These dramatic, upright leaves are not only visually stunning but also resilient, making giant New Zealand flax a favourite for low-maintenance landscaping and shelter belt planting. Its vibrant green foliage and towering flower spikes attract native birds and create a lush, sculptural effect in any setting.

Growing Giant New Zealand Flax

Giant New Zealand flax thrives in a variety of soil types, from sandy coastal plots to heavy clays, as long as drainage is good. It’s highly tolerant to wind, salt spray, and even occasional flooding, making it ideal for challenging locations throughout New Zealand. Plant in full sun for best colour and growth, and allow plenty of space for each flax to show off its impressive form.

For best results: - Water well during establishment, then enjoy drought tolerance - Remove old or damaged leaves to keep plants tidy - Mulch annually to suppress weeds and retain moisture

Uses for Giant Flax in New Zealand Gardens

The size and strength of giant New Zealand flax make it a popular choice for creating privacy screens, windbreaks, and habitat corridors. It’s also perfect for large-scale gardens, native plantings, and public spaces where bold structure is desired. The tough leaves have deep cultural significance and were traditionally used in weaving. In today’s gardens, giant New Zealand flax pairs beautifully with other hardy natives, ornamental grasses, and flowering perennials.

Explore More Phormium Varieties

While Phormium tenax stands out for its height and toughness, there are many stunning forms of New Zealand flax to consider for different effects:

Whether you’re transforming a rural site or designing an urban oasis, New Zealand flax varieties deliver enduring beauty, wildlife value, and easy-care flair.

Why Choose Giant New Zealand Flax?

Invest in the proven performance and instant impact of giant New Zealand flax for your landscape. Lush, adaptable, and distinctly Kiwi, these plants bring year-round appeal with minimal fuss. Explore our range and enjoy the sculptural form and ecological value that only these remarkable natives can provide.

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.
You’ve probably heard of our garden favourites like Lomandra 'Tanika' and Lomandra 'Frosty Tops', but did you know we also grow hidden gems like Leptospermum 'Martini', Camellia 'Desire', and Camellia 'With Love'?
–The Plant Company

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