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

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 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.

From $14.78

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-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 structure and year round colour to gardens. Well suited to NZ conditions, it thrives in a range of environments and is ideal for feature planting, borders, and modern landscapes.

From $20.18

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Flaxes
Height: 80 cm
Spread: 80 cm
Flowering time: Summer
Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy, Wet, Wind
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Pool areas
Garden styles: Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern, Native
Large Black Rage Phormium in a garden with black foliage.
Phormium 'Black Rage'

Phormium 'Black Rage' is a striking New Zealand native flax known for its bold, upright leaves in deep shades of dark purple to near black. This...

From$21.39
phormium-stripy-mist-
Phormium 'Stripy Mist'

Phormium 'Stripy Mist' is an attractive New Zealand flax valued for its beautifully variegated foliage featuring soft green leaves striped with...

From$20.93
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 '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 '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$117.09
A mass planting of Dianella caerulea 'Little Jess' plants with lush, green foliage.
Dianella 'Little Jess'

Dianella 'Little Jess' is a variety of NZ Flax Lily that bears spikes carrying delicate, blue flowers in spring above lush, mid-green leaves. Small...

From$20.18
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
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
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$18.63
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
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$18.23
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$18.63
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$18.83
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 revoluta 'Little Rev' plants in a garden.
Dianella 'Little Rev'

Dianella 'Little Rev' (Blue Flax Lily) is a compact and hardy ornamental grass like plant valued for its attractive blue green foliage and tidy...

From$15.87
A Protea cynaroides (King Protea) flower.
Protea cynaroides (King Protea)

Protea cynaroides, commonly known as the King Protea or Giant Protea, features flowers with deep crimson bracts and a cream-coloured centre from...

From$44.09
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$16.13
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$28.28
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$17.48
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$22.88
Arthropodium 'Te Puna' plants with elegant white flowers bordering a path.
Arthropodium 'Te Puna' (Rengarenga Lily)

Arthropodium ‘Te Puna’ is a compact New Zealand native perennial valued for its tidy clumping habit, slender green foliage, and masses of starry...

From$15.87
Alcantarea imperialis (Giant Bromeliad) plant with a large red flower.
Alcantarea imperialis (Bromeliad)

Alcantarea imperialis, commonly known as the Giant Bromeliad, is a striking architectural plant prized for its massive rosette of broad, silver green...

From$124.13
gazania-new-day-red-stripe--1
Gazania New Day Red Stripe

Gazania New Day Red Stripe bears large, daisy like flowers that are yellow with prominent red stripes. These are borne from spring through summer...

From$20.18
Doryanthes palmeri plant in a garden with a large red flower.
Doryanthes palmeri

Doryanthes palmeri (Giant Spear Lily) is a dramatic architectural plant admired for its massive sword like foliage and spectacular towering flower...

From$146.79
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$343.89
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
Entelea arborescens (Whau) shrub with lush green foliage and white flowers.
Entelea arborescens (Whau)

Entelea arborescens, commonly known as Whau, is a NZ native shrub that typically grows to 3 m tall and 2 m wide. It produces fragrant white flowers...

From$20.93
strelitzia-nicolai-
Strelitzia nicolai (White Bird Of Paradise Plant)

Strelitzia nicolai (Giant White Bird Of Paradise) is a bold, architectural plant known for its large banana like leaves and striking white and blue...

From$43.13
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$299.92
Phormium tenax

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Ajuga, Alcantarea, Arthropodium, Cornus, Corokia, Cyperus, Dianella, Doryanthes, Dysoxylum, Entelea, Gazania, Juncus, Phormium, Protea Sequoiadendron and Strelitzia, or related Categories - Bromeliads, Flaxes, Grasses, Groundcover Plants, Perennials, Evergreen Shrubs Deciduous Trees and Evergreen Trees.

Search giant new zealand flax

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 Parthenocissus tricuspidata Veitchii and Ficus benjamina variegata, but did you know we also grow hidden gems like Pittosporum 'Irish Luck' (Black Matipo), Acer 'Orangeola', and Camellia 'Debbie'?
–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