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

green flax plant

Searching for a vibrant, hardy green flax plant to transform your garden? This New Zealand native, known for its bold foliage and architectural presence, is prized by landscapers and home gardeners alike. With lush, sword-like leaves and easy-care characteristics, the green flax plant is a staple in gardens throughout Aotearoa. Centuries ago, Māori cultivated flax for weaving, but today it’s just as valued for its beauty and versatility. Whether you’re aiming for a low-maintenance border, striking feature plant, or an eco-friendly solution for erosion control, green flax offers it all in a fresh, lively hue.

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-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 $17.95

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Flaxes
Height: 50 cm
Spread: 50 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
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 Green' plants in a mixed planting.
Phormium 'Emerald Green'

Phormium 'Emerald Green' is a compact New Zealand flax valued for its rich emerald green foliage and tidy growth habit. This hardy evergreen provides...

From$14.95
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$8.50
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
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$16.49
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$12.95
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$33.05
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$30.29
Carex flagellifera Green plant with lush and colourful foliage.
Carex flagellifera Green

Carex flagellifera Green is a NZ native, ornamental grass grown for its attractive foliage. It produces slender and lush, green leaves as it grows to...

From$11.50
schefflera-green-goblin-
Schefflera Green Goblin (Green Arboricola)

Schefflera Green Goblin, commonly known as the Green Arboricola, is an evergreen shrub commonly grown as a houseplant. The foliage is mid green...

From$23.95
cupressus-green-spire-2
Cupressus Green Spire

Cupressus Green Spire is a conifer valued for its slender, upright habit that brings an architectural effect. It carries fine, dark -green foliage...

From$28.91
Lomandra 'Misty Green' plants with cascading green foliage growing a bank.
Lomandra Misty Green

Lomandra Misty Green is an ornamental grass with delicate, dark green foliage and a tidy, rounded form. Growing to about 40 cm in height and width...

From$19.25
Pittosporum 'Mountain Green' lush, green foliage.
Pittosporum 'Mountain Green'

Pittosporum 'Mountain Green' is a robust New Zealand native shrub prized for its vibrant green foliage and dense growth. Perfect for creating privacy...

From$22.01
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$17.95
Lomandra Green Allure plant with lush, green foliage.
Lomandra Green Allure

Lomandra Green Allure is widely used in landscaping projects across NZ. It is commonly mass planted as a ground cover or on a bank, included in...

From$19.25
grevillea-cream-and-green-
Grevillea 'Cream and Green'

Grevillea 'Cream and Green' is an attractive evergreen shrub known for its soft cream flowers and lush green foliage. Flowering over a long period...

From$28.91
pittosporum-green-jade-1
Pittosporum 'Green Jade'

Pittosporum 'Green Jade' is a handsome evergreen shrub valued for its rich green foliage, dense growth habit, and naturally tidy appearance. This...

From$22.01
fraxinus-green-glow-
Fraxinus Green Glow

Fraxinus Green Glow is a variety of Ash grown for its rich and colourful foliage. This deciduous tree produces dense and lush, bright green foliage...

From$511.09
Disphyma australe pink flowers and fleshy, green leaves.
Disphyma australe (NZ Ice Plant)

Disphyma australe, commonly known as NZ Ice Plant, is a hardy and attractive groundcover valued for its fleshy, bright green foliage and striking...

From$14.95
clianthus-puniceus-
Clianthus puniceus (Parrot Beak Plant)

Clianthus puniceus (Kakabeak) is a spectacular New Zealand native shrub renowned for its striking clusters of brilliant red, beak shaped flowers that...

From$44.09
Thuja occidentalis 'Smaragd' hedge with bright green foliage.
Thuja occidentalis 'Smaragd' (Green Cedar)

Thuja 'Smaragd', commonly known as the Green or Emerald Cedar, grows with a narrow, dense, and columnar habit. The foliage is rich green, sometimes...

From$17.95
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$21.39
Dodonaea viscosa small tree with green foliage.
Dodonaea viscosa (Green Ake Ake)

Dodonaea viscosa, commonly known as the Green Ake Ake, features lush, bright green leaves which are held densely off upright stems. The foliage is...

From$13.95
Euonymus 'Green Spires' plant with dense, dark green foliage.
Euonymus 'Green Spire'

Euonymus 'Green Spire' is a narrow, upright evergreen shrub admired for its strong vertical form and glossy green foliage. Compact and tidy, it...

From$24.77
callistemon-green-john-
Callistemon 'Green John' (Dwarf Bottlebrush)

Callistemon 'Green John' is a hardy evergreen shrub admired for its fresh green foliage and vibrant red bottlebrush flowers that appear from spring...

From$27.53
Carex comans green plants with dense, green foliage in a garden.
Carex comans Green

Carex comans Green is a NZ native, ornamental grass featuring slender and arching, lime green foliage. It grows as a tidy clump to about 40 cm tall...

From$11.50
Corokia 'Geenty's Green' hedge.
Corokia 'Geenty's Green'

Corokia 'Geenty's Green' is a hardy, NZ native shrub that bears narrow, olive-green leaves that have a silver underside. Masses of small, star-like...

From$16.95
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
coprosma-repens-green-rocks-
Coprosma 'Green Rocks'

Coprosma 'Green Rocks' is a hardy evergreen shrub admired for its dense compact growth habit and fresh green glossy foliage. This attractive New...

From$16.95
Griselinia 'Gecko Green' plants growing as a hedge.
Griselinia 'Gecko Green'

Griselinia' Gecko Green' is an evergreen shrub with thick, glossy foliage that is deep green and held densely. It typically grows to 3 m tall and 2 m...

From$18.95
Phormium tenax

Did you find what you are looking for?

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

Search green flax plant

What Makes the Green Flax Plant Special?

The green flax plant stands out for its robust nature. Its evergreen leaves can reach impressive heights, providing texture throughout the seasons. These plants thrive in full sun or partial shade, tolerate coastal winds, and cope well with wet or dry soils. Flax adapts remarkably, making it suitable for a range of New Zealand climates—from urban gardens to rural blocks. Its dense root system helps prevent soil erosion, and its upright form creates elegant lines in both contemporary and classic landscaping schemes.

Popular Varieties of Green Flax

Several green flax cultivars offer unique foliage and growth habits. The classic Phormium tenax is treasured for its sweeping green blades and immense durability—ideal for larger spaces or as a standout feature. For smaller gardens or compact spaces, consider Phormium 'Green Dwarf', which offers all the lush greenery of standard flax in a petite, manageable form.

If you’re looking for a flax with a touch of character, the adorable Phormium 'Pepe' (Dwarf Flax) combines vibrant green hues with a tidy, compact habit. Perfect for borders or container planting, it brings the classic beauty of flax to patios, decks, and tight spots.

Design Uses in the Garden

Green flax plants are incredibly adaptable. They complement native planting schemes, create striking contrast alongside coloured foliage, and work well as specimen plants in mixed borders. Their tidy, upright habit makes them excellent for formal hedging, driveway edges, or as natural windbreaks.

Pair green flax with other architectural foliage plants to add drama and texture. For interior design, look to foliage-forward options like Stromanthe Triostar (Stromanthe Plant) or Sansevieria Hahnii (Bird's Nest Snake Plant), both of which thrive indoors and complement flax in outdoor containers.

Caring for Your Green Flax Plant

Green flax plants require minimal attention. Water newly planted flax regularly until established, then enjoy their drought-resilience. Prune away spent flower stalks and damaged leaves in autumn or spring to keep plants tidy. To promote lush growth, mulch yearly with organic matter and consider feeding with a slow-release fertiliser early in the growing season.

For a garden standout that’s both practical and stylish, the green flax plant ticks every box. Explore our selection of New Zealand flaxes to find the perfect fit for your landscape, and discover how this native favourite can elevate your outdoor spaces.

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.
Think you know our range? Avocado 'Reed' and Ficus benjamina are just the beginning — check out Rhododendron Vireya 'Butterscotch', Dietes iridioides (African Iris), and Crassula ovata.
–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